Pakistan, Thursday, 13 January 2022 –
The Russian president met with his Kazakh and Uzbek colleagues on Thursday to discuss the situation in Kazakhstan and the gradual withdrawal of peacekeepers, according to the Kremlin.
Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev briefed Russian President Vladimir Putin over the phone on attempts to restore order in Kazakhstan, as well as the efficient activities of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) peacekeeping mission, according to a statement.
"He (Tokayev) expressed specific gratitude for the Russian Federation's assistance and support in the CSTO, as Kazakhstan's strategic partner and ally."
Putin and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev spoke on the phone on Kazakhstan's stability and bilateral initiatives.
Both Putin and Mirziyoyev hailed Kazakhstan's "resolute and consistent actions" as well as the "timely and effective assistance through the CSTO" that resulted in an early resolution of the conflict.
The presidents also discussed the development of bilateral projects "in order to further deepen Russia's strategic relationship and alliance with Uzbekistan."
Protests erupted in Kazakhstan on January 2 in the city of Zhanaozen in Mangystau over an increase in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices, which subsequently evolved into skirmishes with the police, with the most violent developments in Kazakhstan's former capital Almaty.
Tokayev requested assistance from the CSTO partners, and peacekeepers from Russia, Belarus, Armenia, and Tajikistan arrived quickly to assist Kazakh law enforcement in restoring order.
(Research and edit by: The Decision Maker – Asia team in Pakistan)
