Kazakh President Tokayev Declares Russia “Militarily Invincible” in Ukraine
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated on Monday that Russia is “militarily invincible” in Ukraine. This declaration was made during German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s visit to Kazakhstan, a region where Russia’s traditional influence is being increasingly challenged, reports AFP.
“It is clear that Russia is militarily invincible,” Tokayev remarked, as cited by his presidential office, in a surprising statement made in Scholz’s presence, just a day before a summit with his counterparts from five countries in the region.
Kazakhstan, the largest power in Central Asia, is a military and economic ally of Russia, sharing a border of over 7,500 kilometers. Tokayev frequently meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Our cooperation is developing within the framework of a strategic partnership and alliance,” Tokayev continued, while also affirming that “in Kazakhstan, the population harbors real sympathy for the Ukrainian people.”
Despite this, Kazakhstan has previously condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and has since expanded its military and economic ties, particularly with China and Western powers.
Tokayev also emphasized that the possibility of peace remains and called for support of peace plans proposed by China and Brazil.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, China, the U.S., and the European Union have been seeking to strengthen ties with the five former Soviet republics of Central Asia, which have traditionally been under Russian influence. Although these countries maintain a diplomatic neutrality in the Ukraine conflict, they are suspected by the West of re-exporting sanctioned goods to Russia.
