Overview
- President Trump announced the accession after a White House C5+1 summit, hosting a call with Benjamin Netanyahu and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev as Kazakhstan confirmed it would join.
- U.S. officials describe the step as largely symbolic because Kazakhstan and Israel have had full relations since 1992, but say it is intended to bolster Israel’s international standing.
- The White House is planning a formal signing ceremony and is using the development to press for additional entrants, with Saudi Arabia cited as a key target.
- Officials pointed to prospects for expanded cooperation in defense, cybersecurity, energy and food technology, alongside a separate U.S.–Kazakhstan critical-minerals agreement signed at the summit.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Tokayev to discuss trade and investment as Kazakhstan becomes the first new member of the accords in five years and the first of Trump’s second term.