Tokayev: Kazakhstan supports efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine

Kazakhstan supports the efforts of states in trying to propose options for resolving the conflict in Ukraine, said the President of the Republic Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

“Kazakhstan supports all the efforts of states or groups of states that offer certain options for resolving the Ukrainian conflict. We will make every effort on our part,” reported Tokayev after negotiations with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (quote from TASS).

The President of Kazakhstan noted that Kyiv and Moscow claim that they are ready for negotiations. “But the negotiation platform is not yet clear – on what basis negotiations could be conducted. Therefore, an era of reasonable, rational, I would say wise, diplomacy is coming,” he clarified. According to Tokayev, in order to find an acceptable basis for negotiations, the parties need to “stop mutual accusations and conduct business negotiations.”

During a press conference following the work at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly on September 23, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov statedthat Russia is ready to begin negotiations on Ukraine, but proposals for a ceasefire will not be considered due to the fact that Moscow has already been deceived once.

Since the beginning of Russia’s special operation in Ukraine, the parties held negotiations several times in February and March 2022. As a result, the negotiation process was frozen because Kyiv withdrew from it. Since October 4, 2022, Ukraine has had a decree refusing to negotiate with Russia as long as Putin is its president.

In the fall of 2022, Zelensky listed 10 conditions for the Ukrainian “peace formula,” including the restoration of the territorial integrity of Ukraine, the withdrawal of Russian troops from its territory, fixing the end of the conflict, as well as ensuring food, energy and nuclear security. The Russian authorities have already called a settlement in Ukraine using this formula impossible.