ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Russian President Vladimir Putin met ahead of the XXII Kazakhstan-Russia Interregional Cooperation Forum, focused on transport, logistics and regional economic ties, in Omsk on July 25. Their talks broadened the agenda beyond the forum’s economic focus to include the war in Ukraine, strategic partnership and cooperation on Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the meeting in Omsk on July 25. Photo credit: Akorda. During the meeting, Tokayev outlined his position on prospects for resolving the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. He said that from the very beginning he saw it as an interstate conflict.
He also noted that “the nature of this conflict is not fully understood by many, including ourselves.” While acknowledging that neither side currently has a clear path toward resolving the conflict, Tokayev suggested that freezing the conflict could create conditions for renewed negotiations.
“Perhaps it is time to freeze this conflict and return to the Istanbul Formula 2.0, because significant results were achieved there. Then, under guarantees from the great powers, including Russia, we could move toward the long-awaited peace,” he said. Tokayev also ruled out any role for Kazakhstan as a mediator, saying Russia is “a great country” that is capable of resolving the conflict on its own without outside mediation.
He added that he had decided to voice his opinion publicly because many people knew about his planned visit to Omsk and the meeting with Putin. “There is an opportunity to freeze the conflict. This is a well-established mechanism in international practice,” he added.
Tokayev also expressed concern over the continued loss of life, saying the conflict should be stopped because young people from both Russia and Ukraine continue to die. “All of this must be stopped because, in my firm conviction, what is happening serves the interests of and brings satisfaction to the opponents of both Russia and the Ukrainian state,” he said.
Tokayev also reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to its strategic partnership and allied relations with Russia during the meeting. “As for Kazakhstan’s position toward Russia, have no doubt: we have always regarded, and continue to regard, Russia as a great state.
We remain committed to strategic cooperation with Russia and allied relations, no matter how difficult the circumstances may be. Today’s forum is further confirmation of that,” he said. President Tokayev also noted progress in implementing the joint project to build Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant.
He shared that he has been informed that field work at the site near Lake Balkhash is nearing completion “This project is not only about producing a new type of energy in Kazakhstan. It is a project that will bring our countries and, most importantly, our peoples closer together, particularly the younger generation.
We are talking about training local Kazakh specialists with Russia’s assistance so that they will be able to work in the highly complex nuclear industry,” he said.