Statements on allegedly unleashing trade war between Russia and Kazakhstan are incorrect, Dmitry Peskov, spokesman of Russia’s President Vladimir Putin said, Tass reported. He was commenting on a publication by Kommersant daily saying that Moscow and Astana had exchanged trade bans. “I think it is a strong exaggeration. I don’t have any detailed information about what is exactly going on, but in any case I think such phrasings as “trade war” are not correct “, he said. Last year’s steep devaluation of the ruble currency complicated matters, however, as Russian products have suddenly gained a competitive edge in Kazakhstan and other post-Soviet countries.
