Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has made one of his strongest public interventions on the war in Ukraine, urging Russian President Vladimir Putin to “freeze” the conflict and return to negotiations based on the so-called “Istanbul 2.0” framework.
Speaking during a meeting with Putin at the 22nd Russia-Kazakhstan Forum of Interregional Cooperation in Omsk, Tokayev argued that the time had come to halt the fighting and seek a negotiated settlement, stressing the devastating human cost of the war.
“It is tragic that young people are dying,” Tokayev said, referring to Russians and Ukrainians as “brotherly peoples.” He added that, in Kazakhstan’s view, the conflict should be frozen to create the conditions for lasting peace.
A notable shift in tone
Although Kazakhstan has consistently maintained a carefully balanced position since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Tokayev’s remarks represent one of his clearest public appeals directly to Putin.
Astana has sought to preserve its close economic and security ties with Moscow while simultaneously reaffirming its support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Kazakhstan has repeatedly refused to recognise the self-proclaimed separatist entities in eastern Ukraine and has emphasised its commitment to the principles of sovereignty and international law.
During the meeting, Tokayev also suggested revisiting the framework discussed during peace negotiations in Istanbul in 2022, which envisaged a ceasefire and security guarantees backed by major international powers.
“Perhaps it is already time to freeze this conflict and return to the Istanbul formula,” he said, arguing that the earlier negotiations had produced meaningful progress.
Questioning the purpose of the conflict
In unusually candid remarks, Tokayev acknowledged that many countries—including Kazakhstan—struggle to understand the underlying purpose of the war.
He contrasted the conflict with other regional disputes whose historical origins are more clearly defined, suggesting that the Ukraine war has become increasingly difficult to justify from both humanitarian and geopolitical perspectives.
Tokayev also revealed that he had received “many signals” from both Europe and the United States regarding the conflict, although he stressed that Kazakhstan was not seeking to become a formal mediator.
“Russia is a great country and will resolve its issues without intermediaries,” he said, describing his comments as his “personal opinion.”
Kremlin rejects proposal
The Kremlin moved quickly to reject the suggestion.
Following the meeting, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that a freeze in the conflict was not possible under current circumstances.
“Our overriding condition is that we must achieve our objectives,” Peskov told reporters.
Putin himself did not publicly respond to Tokayev’s proposal during the televised meeting but indicated he would brief the Kazakh leader separately on developments relating to Ukraine.
Implications for Europe
For the European Union, Tokayev’s intervention is significant.
Kazakhstan has become an increasingly important strategic partner for Brussels, particularly in energy security, transport connectivity through the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (the “Middle Corridor”), supplies of critical raw materials, and broader efforts to diversify trade routes between Europe and Asia.
Astana has carefully positioned itself as a pragmatic middle power, maintaining constructive relations with Russia, China, the European Union and the United States simultaneously. Tokayev’s willingness to publicly advocate a ceasefire reflects Kazakhstan’s growing confidence on the international stage and its desire to be seen as a responsible diplomatic actor.
The remarks also highlight the mounting pressure being felt by Moscow from partners traditionally regarded as friendly, even as the Kremlin continues to insist that its military objectives in Ukraine remain unchanged.
Editor’s Note: Kazakhstan continues to pursue what it describes as a “multi-vector” foreign policy, balancing strategic relations with Russia, China, the European Union and the United States. President Tokayev’s comments do not represent a change in Kazakhstan’s formal neutral position but constitute one of his most explicit public calls for a negotiated end to the conflict since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
