Nazarbayev’s comments, delivered somewhat nervously in a video address posted on his website, sought to scotch widespread suggestions of a power struggle between him and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

As hydrocarbons make up over 20 percent of Kazakhstan’s GDP, it became a priority to restore oil production to normal levels.

While Kazakhstan’s future remains unclear, it is important to already consider what further fallout these events and the resulting uncertainty may bring for policymakers and businesses near and far.