The situation with Kazakhstan's refusal to join BRICS requires clarification. This was stated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in an interview with the Argumenty i Fakty newspaper. "We need to clarify this position," the Russian Foreign Minister said.

The restrictive measure comes shortly after Kazakhstan, Central Asia’s largest economy, refused to join BRICS, the bloc of emerging economies of which Russia currently holds the presidency.

The ban follows Kazakhstan's decision not to apply for Brics membership, the bloc of emerging economies currently led by Russia

Russia’s agricultural safety watchdogbanned the import of tomatoes, melons, wheat and other food products from neighboring Kazakhstan amid ongoing trade disputes between the two countries. “The decision was made because Kazakhstan’s competent authorities failed to take measures to ensure the phytosanitary safety of [products sent to] Russian