This article contains the comparative study of mutual perception of Russia and Kazakhstan. The authors set themselves the goal of identifying the key features of the mutual perception of countries on grounds of theoretical and methodological methods of political and psychological approach. The research procedure consisted of conducting focused interviews and drawing tests among residents of the studied countries. For the analysis of political perception, qualitative methods with quantitative elements were used. Specifics of images of Russia and Kazakhstan in the minds of citizens of both countries were identified, taking into account the rational and unconscious levels of perception. Also, the authors, relying on the problematic approach, identified the key political and psychological factors that affect the process of mutual socio-political perception. The results of the political and psychological analysis demonstrate that there are grounds in the minds of the inhabitants of Russia and Kazakhstan for the further development of union relations. However, the Russian respondents' perception of Kazakhstan at an irrational level is extremely vague, emotionally neutral, and does not differ in deep affection. There is a negativization of the image of Russia in some of its structural elements (image of power, foreign policy image). The identified trends may soon become a threat to the development of international processes in the Caspian region.
