President Putin reveals Russia's 'closest ally'
(Baonghean.vn) - During talks with his Kazakh counterpart Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Astana on November 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the relationship between Russia and Kazakhstan is a typical example of a close alliance and brings great benefits to the people of the two countries.
“We are not just allies, we are the closest allies. This relationship has developed over many years,” the Russian leader said, praising Mr. Tokayev’s personal contribution to fostering the relationship. President Putin visited the Kazakh capital almost exactly 10 years after the two countries signed a key agreement on neighborly relations.
For his part, President Tokayev referred to the friendship, common history and spiritual solidarity between the two countries, describing these ties as the “greatest treasure” of both sides. The two leaders expressed satisfaction with the growing economic, diplomatic and humanitarian ties.
President Tokayev noted the development of the consular network that Russia and Kazakhstan maintain on each other's territory, while President Putin thanked his host country for promoting Russian culture and language. After the talks, the two presidents signed a roadmap for Russian-Kazakh activities for the next three years as well as a memorandum on joint energy projects.
Putin arrived in Astana a week after French President Emmanuel Macron, who chose Kazakhstan as the first stop on his tour of Central Asia. According to Aleksandr Sternik, a senior Russian Foreign Ministry official, Moscow sees Western interests in the region as part of an openly anti-Russian agenda that its partners “clearly understand.”
“They are not even hiding the threat of secondary sanctions, but openly signaling it in the face of sovereign states with which our country has absolutely legitimate trade, defense and military relations,” Mr. Sternik, who heads the department responsible for relations with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, said in an interview on Wednesday.
Russia respects the right of other countries to conduct diplomatic relations the way they want, but is aware of the West's "selfish" intentions, he added./.
