Trump Announces Kazakhstan’s Entry Into Abraham Accords: What To Know About The Pact

Last Updated:November 07, 2025, 13:18 IST

Kazakhstan’s entry gives the US-brokered Abraham Accords a renewed push, five years after the landmark deal first brought Israel closer to its Arab and Muslim neighbours

US President Donald Trump. (Photo: Reuters)

Kazakhstan has officially joined the Abraham Accords. The announcement was made by US President Donald Trump on Thursday, marking the first country to enter the agreement under his second administration.

While Kazakhstan has maintained full diplomatic and economic relations with Israel for over three decades, its entry adds new symbolic and strategic weight to the accords, especially against the backdrop of shifting geopolitics in Central Asia and West Asia.

What Are The Abraham Accords?

The Abraham Accords are a series of US-brokered agreements that established formal diplomatic relations between Israel and several Arab nations. The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain became the first to sign them in 2020 during Trump’s first term, followed later by Morocco and Sudan. The agreements were named after Abraham, a revered figure in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, reflecting a shared heritage among the participating nations and a symbolic spirit of reconciliation.

The Accords broke a longstanding taboo by making the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain the first Arab states in a quarter century to recognise Israel.

The agreements were facilitated by Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and remain one of the signature foreign policy achievements of Trump’s first presidency. For many Arab nations, the accords represented a pragmatic shift — from refusing normalisation until Palestinian statehood was achieved, to engaging Israel directly in pursuit of economic and strategic gains.

Who Are The Countries Under The Abraham Accords So Far?

Four countries signed the accords during Trump’s first term — the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco. All were supported by the United States as part of its effort to realign Middle Eastern alliances. These states formally normalised diplomatic relations with Israel, opening embassies, establishing direct flights, and signing agreements across technology, defence, tourism, and trade.

Israel viewed these accords as a “major breakthrough" that helped reduce its regional isolation. The UAE’s participation was particularly significant because of its influence as a global oil producer and regional hub. Morocco followed with agreements involving both diplomatic and economic cooperation, while Sudan joined as part of a broader package of US engagement after its removal from Washington’s list of state sponsors of terrorism.

Kazakhstan now becomes the first addition to the Abraham Accords since 2020, and the first during Trump’s second term in office.

How Did The Announcement Come About?

Trump made the announcement on Truth Social, writing that he had “a great call between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, of Israel, and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, of Kazakhstan". He added, “Kazakhstan is the first Country of my Second Term to join the Abraham Accords, the first of many."

Calling it “a major step forward in building bridges across the World," Trump said “more Nations are lining up to embrace Peace and Prosperity through my Abraham Accords." He also mentioned that a signing ceremony would take place “soon" to formalise the agreement.

During a meeting with leaders of five Central Asian nations in Washington, Trump reiterated that expanding the Abraham Accords was one of his top foreign policy goals. CNN quoted a source familiar with the matter as saying the administration believes Kazakhstan’s addition is “just the tip of the iceberg".

Trump said that there were “many more Countries trying to join this club of STRENGTH", describing the development as “real progress, real results". He added: “So much more to come in uniting Countries for Stability and Growth — Real progress, real results. BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!"

The announcement coincided with Kazakh President Tokayev’s visit to Washington for a meeting between Trump and the leaders of the five Central Asian republics — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

Why Is Kazakhstan’s Entry Significant?

Kazakhstan’s entry into the Abraham Accords is largely symbolic but carries political and strategic value. The country already established diplomatic relations with Israel in 1992, shortly after gaining independence from the Soviet Union. Its decision now reinforces ongoing cooperation and reflects support for continued dialogue at a time when Israel faces international criticism over the Gaza conflict.

The move is expected to expand existing collaboration in areas such as defence, cybersecurity, energy, and food technology. For the United States, it restores momentum to the Abraham Accords, which had stalled during the war, and signals that Washington remains engaged in shaping political alignments across the Muslim world.

For Kazakhstan, joining the accords fits within its long-practised “multi-vector" foreign policy — maintaining balanced relations with Russia, China, the West, and regional partners. By formalising its role, it strengthens ties with Washington and Israel while positioning itself as a pragmatic diplomatic bridge between diverse power centres.

How Does This Fit Into Trump’s Broader Strategy?

For Trump, bringing Kazakhstan into the accords reinforces a familiar diplomatic narrative. During his first term, the accords were hailed by his administration as a major peace achievement. Their expansion under his second term allows him to argue that the initiative remains active and successful.

It also serves a broader narrative purpose for Trump, especially as his administration continues efforts to draw Saudi Arabia into the framework. The US President told Time magazine last month, “Saudi Arabia will lead the way toward the Abraham Accords," adding when asked if it could happen by the end of the year, “Yes, I do. I do."

What Does Kazakhstan Gain From Joining?

For Kazakhstan, joining the Abraham Accords offers several advantages — renewed attention from Washington, broader visibility on the global stage, and potential economic cooperation with a diverse group of countries. It also enhances Kazakhstan’s profile as a nation capable of balancing relationships across global power centres.

Ultimately, Kazakhstan’s entry into the Abraham Accords does not mark the beginning of new relations with Israel, rather, it reaffirms old ones. But symbolism matters.

In a region where diplomatic gestures often carry strategic weight, this decision reflects not just Kazakhstan’s international posture but also Washington’s determination to sustain the momentum of the accords amid a changing geopolitical landscape.

For the United States, it represents continuity. For Kazakhstan, it represents balance. And for the Abraham Accords, it represents revival.

Karishma Jain

Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @kar...Read More

Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @kar...

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