President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that Kazakhstan is joining the Abraham Accords, saying the nation is “the first of many” to join the diplomatic agreements in his second term.
Established under Trump’s first term and touted as one of his hallmark foreign policy achievements, the accords established diplomatic relations between the state of Israel and its surrounding Arab nations. The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan all signed agreements under Trump’s first term, with Kazakhstan becoming the first to join in his second.
“This is a major step forward in building bridges across the World. Today, more Nations are lining up to embrace Peace and Prosperity through my Abraham Accords. We will soon announce a Signing Ceremony to make it official, and there are many more Countries trying to join this club of STRENGTH,” Trump wrote in his Truth Social announcement.
Trump said Kazakhstani President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev agreed to join after a call between the two leaders and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“It’s my strong belief, Mr. President, you are the great leader, statesman, sent by Heaven to bring commonsense and traditions that we all share and value back into the United States policy, either domestic or foreign. Therefore, millions of people in so many countries are so grateful to you,” Tokayev said Thursday evening.
Tokayev met with Trump at the White House on Thursday evening for a multilateral meeting and dinner with the leaders of five other Central Asian countries, including the leaders of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.
“I just want to thank you, Mr. President,” Trump said to Tokayev at the gathering Thursday evening. “It’s a great honor, it’s a tremendous honor to have you.”
After Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and Israel began its war in the Gaza Strip, the conflict and ensuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza transformed diplomatic relations in the region. But after Trump’s brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the Trump administration has signaled that things are looking up for the Abraham Accords.
Vice President JD Vance said the addition “gives great momentum to the Abraham Accords.”
“What the President has done is actually signaled that the momentum of the Abraham Accords is alive and well in the second administration. I think it’s not just going to be Kazakhstan, but also a number of other countries that join in the months to come,” Vance said.
KAZAKHSTAN TO JOIN ABRAHAM ACCORDS
The administration did not specify which countries could be next in line.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman al Saud is set to visit the White House on Nov. 18.
