Kazakhstan is expected to begin courting China and the West for investments, particularly in the energy, mining, transportation and possibly banking sectors. The question remains whether Russia is comfortable with Massimov's inviting more non-Russian foreign investment into Kazakhstan, especially as the
Customs Union evolves into the upcoming Eurasia Union and begins taking on new members. Massimov's relationship to Kulibayev — who has strong ties to Moscow and sits on Russian natural gas firm Gazprom's board — reportedly has been repaired. This could mean that Russia has approved of Massimov's reappointment.
With Massimov's return to a dominant position in the government, the other question is whether his political base will rally again and allow him to be a
possible successor to Nazarbayev. Massimov is still popular among the Kazakh people, but it would be difficult for him to be president because of his
Uighur ethnicity. Moreover, unless he leaves office suddenly, Nazarbayev would have to support any successor. Massimov's return and subsequent attempt to address Kazakhstan's economic difficulties will shake up the balance of power among the many players who seek control, whether Massimov is a contender for the presidency or not.