Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed considering the possibility of freezing Russia’s war against Ukraine by returning to the “Istanbul Formula 2.0.” He made the proposal during a meeting with Vladimir Putin in Omsk, where he arrived to attend the 22nd Kazakhstan-Russia Forum of Interregional Cooperation.
According to Tokayev, he has received messages from Europe and the United States regarding the situation surrounding the Russia-Ukraine war. He said he views what is happening as an interstate conflict rather than a civil war.
“I will not hide the fact that I have been receiving many messages, and I informed you about them during our phone conversation, from Europe and the United States of America. These messages concern the current situation, the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
You know, from the very beginning I have said that, in my opinion, this is an interstate conflict, an interstate conflict. We are not talking about any kind of civil war. We have always treated the Ukrainian people, their culture and language with respect, and we believe that the nature of this conflict is not entirely clear to many people, including ourselves.
For example, if we take the conflict, including the frozen conflict, between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the essence and origins of that conflict were perfectly clear to us. They went deep into history. But here it is very difficult to understand,” he said.
Tokayev expressed the view that Russia had shown “maximum diplomatic flexibility” during the meeting in Anchorage.
“And I understand — I know — that you demonstrated maximum diplomatic flexibility during the meeting in Anchorage, Alaska. This is simply my humble opinion, since people have been reaching out to me. Perhaps it is time to freeze this conflict and return to the Istanbul Formula 2.0, because significant progress was achieved there. Then, naturally, under guarantees from the major powers, including Russia, we could move toward the long-awaited peace,” he suggested.
At the same time, the Kazakh leader said he did not intend to act as a mediator in the negotiations.
“Kazakhstan is not an outside country, but despite all the proposals and calls, I categorically refuse to act as a mediator because I know that Russia is a great country. The Russian people are a great people and, as they say, can handle all the issues on the agenda without intermediaries,” Tokayev said.
“However, I decided to express my humble opinion today because people knew I was planning to be in Omsk, they knew about our meeting, and they asked me to convey ideas on how to get out of this situation. But no one knows how to get out of it because the parties have their own positions.
On the other hand, there is the possibility of freezing the situation. This is a mechanism that has been tested in international practice. It is painful to see young people from the brotherly nations of Russia and Ukraine dying. All of this must be stopped because, in my firm conviction, what is happening benefits and brings satisfaction to the opponents of both Russia and the Ukrainian state. That is what I wanted to say,” he concluded.
At the end of his remarks, Tokayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to strategic cooperation and allied relations with Russia, stressing that he considers Russia “a great state” and maintains this position at international forums.
“As for Kazakhstan’s position toward Russia, have no doubt: we have always regarded, and continue to regard, Russia as a great state, as I have already said. I say this at all international forums and reaffirm our commitment to strategic cooperation with Russia and allied relations, no matter how difficult that may be. The current forum is further proof of that,” he said.
