Omsk: Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called on Saturday, during a rare face-to-face meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, for an end to the war in Ukraine through a “freeze” of the conflict. Kazakhstan is an ally of Russia, but has not declared its support for Moscow’s offensive in Ukraine, which has alarmed the Kremlin’s Central Asian partners.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Tokayev expressed his concerns during the Russian-Kazakh summit in the Siberian city of Omsk. He highlighted the tragic loss of young lives and emphasized the need to halt the ongoing violence. Seated next to Putin, Tokayev shared his views on the complex nature of the conflict, stating that the roots of the war are “not fully understood.” He contrasted this with the more understandable reasons behind other regional conflicts, such as those between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

During the meeting, Tokayev suggested revisiting the 2022 Istanbul agreements as a step towards achieving peace. He expressed his personal commitment to addressing the issue by attending the summit in Omsk. In response, Putin indicated his willingness to brief Tokayev on the latest developments in the conflict.

Diplomatic efforts to resolve the war, which has persisted for over four years, have reached an impasse. Despite this, Putin has reiterated Moscow’s intention to gain control over the remaining parts of eastern Ukraine through military means.