Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree allowing foreigners and stateless individuals to serve under contract in the Russian Armed Forces, including during periods of mobilization. This legal change expands recruitment options beyond times of emergency or armed conflict, reflecting efforts to bolster Russia's military amid ongoing challenges. Separately, Kazakhstan has announced plans to maintain its crude oil production at current levels through the end of 2025, aiming to comply with its commitments under the OPEC+ agreement despite recent increases in output. Kazakhstan's crude oil production rose by 11.6% in the first half of the year, reaching approximately 1.847 million barrels per day, exceeding its OPEC+ quota of 1.5 million barrels per day. However, production dipped slightly by 2% month-over-month in July to 1.84 million barrels per day. Additionally, Russia has tightened regulations for foreign vessels entering its seaports, requiring approval from the Federal Security Service (FSB) following a series of unexplained explosions on oil tankers. The FSB's enhanced role aims to improve port security and control maritime access. Despite these restrictions, Kazakhstan continues to export oil through Russian ports without interruption, as the FSB has begun granting permissions to foreign tankers to access Black Sea ports, allowing the resumption of Kazakh oil exports after a brief halt.