Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Photo: nur.kz
Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has instructed the Prime Minister, his Administration Chief, heads of all security agencies, and regional governors to take urgent measures to ensure the safety of key military and civilian facilities in light of the escalating Russian-Ukrainian conflict. This was reported on Facebook by the President's press secretary, Serik Uali.
Uali's message appeared on social media on the evening of November 21, following Russian President Vladimir Putin's address. In his speech, Putin discussed an attack on Ukrainian territory using Russia's newest medium-range system, «Oreshnik,» in response to Ukrainian forces striking Russian regions with Western-made missiles. He also stated that the conflict had acquired a «global character».
«For our state, the main strategic goal is to maintain stability, tranquility, law, and order. Kazakhstan has repeatedly advocated for resolving the issue of ending military actions between the two Slavic peoples through negotiations,» Uali wrote.
On the morning of November 22, Kazakhstan's Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov held an emergency government meeting. Defense Minister Ruslan Zhaksylykov reported on ongoing efforts to protect strategic and infrastructure facilities, and a series of tasks aimed at strengthening state bodies' actions were set. Officials paid special attention to maintaining stability and public order, transport security, and the operation of vital facilities. In case of any changes in the situation, immediate reporting was ordered.
According to political analyst Arkady Dubnov, the adoption of such extraordinary precautionary measures by one of Russia's closest CSTO allies may indicate serious concerns in Astana regarding the Kremlin's further actions. Dubnov also reminded that President Putin's state visit to Kazakhstan is scheduled for November 27, with a CSTO summit planned in Astana the following day.
