Overview
- President Trump announced Kazakhstan’s accession after a joint call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during a C5+1 summit at the White House.
- Kazakhstan becomes the first new participant since 2020, a move described as largely symbolic because Astana and Jerusalem have maintained full diplomatic relations since 1992.
- U.S. officials say the addition is intended to restore Israel’s regional standing following the Gaza war and to build leverage ahead of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s planned Nov. 18 visit to Washington.
- Special Envoy Steve Witkoff publicly previewed the move earlier in the day, and Trump said a formal signing ceremony would follow.
- The announcement coincided with economic outreach, including a U.S.–Kazakhstan critical-minerals initiative and a meeting between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Tokayev focused on trade and investment.