Kazakh President Tokayev urges Putin to freeze Ukraine war, calls deaths of young soldiers a disgrace

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Vladimir Putin. Source: Vyacheslav Prokofyev/Pool Sputnik Kremlin via AP

A surprising appeal from a Russian ally: Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has urged Vladimir Putin to freeze the conflict in Ukraine, warning of the ongoing death of young soldiers.

Tokayev's Appeal in Omsk

Speaking at a Russian-Kazakh summit in Siberian Omsk on Saturday, in Putin's presence, Tokayev proposed a "freeze" of the conflict. Kazakhstan is an ally of Russia but has never signaled support for Moscow's offensive in Ukraine.

"How do you get out of this situation? No one knows, because there are positions on both sides," Tokayev said. "But on the other hand, there is also a moment and the opportunity to freeze all of this."

He added: "It is a shame that young people are dying. (...) All of this must be stopped."

Conditions for Peace

Tokayev stated that any agreement must come about "under the guarantees of the great powers, including Russia," and lead to a "long-awaited peace."

However, the Kazakh head of state did not offer to mediate. "I 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, it will manage on its own even without a mediator," he said.

Putin listened to his ally's statements with his head lowered.

Continued Fighting in Ukraine

The fighting between Russia and Ukraine continued unchanged on Saturday.

• Zaporizhzhia region: At least eleven people were killed in Ukrainian drone attacks in the Russian-occupied part of the southern Ukrainian region, including four children. Another 16 people were injured, according to Moscow-appointed administrative head Yevgeny Balitsky. The attack reportedly hit a tourist facility in the settlement of Kyrylivka in the Melitopol district. The information cannot be independently verified.

• Sumy region: Three people were killed in a Russian drone attack in northeastern Ukraine. The drone hit a "civilian facility," said Oleh Hryhorow, head of the Sumy regional administration, causing a large fire. The victims were drivers of the private postal and courier service Nova Poshta.

Ukraine has been defending itself against a Russian invasion with Western help for more than four years. In recent months, it has expanded its counterattacks, primarily using drones.

AFP/nw