Astana: Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Wednesday that Russia is prepared to engage in new large-scale projects with Kazakhstan. This statement comes ahead of his scheduled two-day visit to Astana, where he will engage in discussions with Kazakhstani officials. According to Anadolu Agency, Putin highlighted the role of Rosatom, Russia's State Atomic Energy Corporation, in aiding Kazakhstan with nuclear fuel cycle projects and the development of its uranium industry. He expressed Russia's readiness to embark on additional significant initiatives with Kazakhstan, emphasizing the strong economic ties between the two nations. Russia is one of Kazakhstan's major economic partners, with a substantial portion of Kazakhstan's exports traversing Russian territory. Putin noted that energy companies from both countries are actively collaborating on the development of hydrocarbon deposits, processing energy resources, and enhancing the pipeline infrastructure. He also pointed to the promising opportunitie s for cooperation in alternative and clean energy sectors, as well as environmental protection and climate change mitigation efforts. The Russian leader mentioned ongoing projects in other industrial sectors, particularly the expansion of the eastern segment of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). The INSTC is an extensive network of ship, rail, and road routes connecting India, Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia, Central Asia, and Europe, covering a distance of 7,200 kilometers (4,500 miles). Furthermore, Putin underscored the progress in creating a space rocket complex at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, utilizing Russia's Soyuz-5 rocket carrier. He also acknowledged the participation of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in the 16th BRICS economic summit held in Kazan, Russia, last month, and noted that Kazakhstan was invited to join BRICS as a partner state. During his visit to Astana, Putin is scheduled to hold talks with Tokayev and attend a session of the Collective Security Council of the Co llective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). The CSTO is a military alliance comprising Russia and former Soviet states including Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.