During a visit to Kazakhstan, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverley said that the UK will help Kazakhstan develop export routes that bypass Russia. He also signed a memorandum on the supply of key minerals.

Cleverley said London appreciates Astana's position, which has traditionally been closely linked to Moscow, on Russia's war in Ukraine. Kazakhstan refused to support Russia's invasion or recognize its annexation of Ukrainian territories. "The UK highly appreciates the consistent and principled position of Kazakhstan in support of the territorial integrity of Ukraine and your desire to achieve a settlement of the war by the UN Charter," he added at a briefing.

Cleverly, who met with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and several other senior officials, said he discussed disruptions to Kazakh oil exports, much of which goes through Russia, and discussed ways to support the development of alternative routes, such as the so-called Middle Corridor. US and Kazakh diplomats said they had signed a memorandum on critical minerals such as rare earth metals but did not provide any details.

Notably, Middle Corridor, which crosses the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey, requires significant investment to increase its capacity. However, Kazakhstan has already begun to divert some of its crude oil supplies through it.

Read also: UK Foreign Secretary Visits Georgia