Tokayev Calls Putin an Outstanding Statesman, Urges Freeze in Ukraine Hostilities

Berlin, The Gulf Observer: Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has described Russian President Vladimir Putin as an “outstanding statesman” while reiterating Kazakhstan’s call for a freeze in hostilities in Ukraine to facilitate a transition to diplomatic negotiations.

Speaking at a joint news conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin, Tokayev said that an immediate end to the conflict may not be realistic under the current circumstances. He instead advocated freezing the hostilities on Ukrainian territory as a step toward negotiations.

Tokayev said he was grateful to Putin for understanding Kazakhstan’s position on the conflict. He described the Russian president as an outstanding statesman and said Putin possessed qualities he considered necessary for leading a major country with a complex history and strategic interests.

The Kazakh president stressed that Kazakhstan would continue maintaining friendly relations with both Russia and Ukraine. He noted that Kazakhstan shares a 7,597-kilometre border with Russia and emphasized the importance of peace and stability for his country.

Tokayev also reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s position that the country respects the UN Charter and the principle of territorial integrity of states. He said Kazakhstan considers both Russia and Ukraine to be its friends and would seek to maintain balanced relations with both sides.