Vladimir Putin likes to count Kazakhstan among Russia’s closest allies. Tokayev, the ruler of the country, pointed out where the boundaries of this friendship ran.
Vladimir Putin and his followers never tire of emphasizing that Russia is not alone in the world. All rush and lies from the west. There are many loyal friends and allies, foreign minister Lavrov rants, Kremlin spokesman Peskov rants, and Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Putin himself. At the International Economic Forum in Saint Petersburg, however, they were all belied. A large delegation from the Afghan Taliban and the Russian King of Pop, Filipp Kirkorov, turned out to be the biggest stars of the event, which was once known as the “Russian Davos”. Even the wildest Kremlin propaganda could not explain how the flashy artist was supposed to replace the world’s biggest business leaders.
Kazakhstan’s newly appointed ruler Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was the only head of state to visit his Russian colleague Putin. Only earlier this year did he overthrow his predecessor and 30-year ruler of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev. With the help of Putin and his troops, he succeeded in taking power. Now Tokayev showed where the boundaries of friendship between Russia and Kazakhstan lie.
As the guest of honor, Tokayev took a seat on the podium next to Putin and answered questions from discussion moderator Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of propaganda channel RT. She wanted to know how Kazakhstan felt about the so-called “special operation in Ukraine.” The answer was sobering. “There are different opinions, we are an open society,” Tokayev replied. Kazakhstan will also not recognize the separatist republics of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine as independent states.
“This is an honest answer”
Referring to the separatist republics, he noted that the two main principles of the UN Charter – the right of nations to self-determination and the territorial integrity of states – had come into conflict with one another. The UN’s right to self-determination conflicts with states’ right to territorial integrity.
“It has been calculated that if a nation’s right to self-determination were to be realized around the world, instead of the 193 states that are now members of the UN, there would be 500 or 600 states on the planet. That, of course, would lead to chaos. That’s why “We do not recognize Taiwan, Kosovo, Abkhazia or South Ossetia. And this principle obviously also applies to such pseudo-state entities as Donetsk and Luhansk are in our eyes,” Tokayev said. “This is an honest answer to your honest question.”
Vladimir Putin has to take it
Putin let this blow sit on him. He neither commented on Tokayev’s statements nor replied. It may be that the Kremlin boss was too perplexed. It may be that he didn’t want to attract more attention to Tokayev with an answer. It may also be that this statement was the condition for Tokayev’s appearance at the economic forum. In the end, not a single other leader showed up – out of all the friends and allies Putin loves to talk about.
Just moments earlier, from the same podium, Putin had declared that the separatist republics he recognized did not need to ask “permission” from the Ukrainian government to declare their independence.
Cooperation instead of self-isolation
Tokayev also contradicted Putin on other points. When asked about import substitution, which Russia is now being forced to do, the head of state replied that it was largely impossible in the modern world. Kazakhstan is for international cooperation and against self-isolation. Putin had to take this blow as well.
Putin is only too happy to drum it into his people that the sanctions will only strengthen the Russian economy. Everything will be replaced with their own products, which are much better than the originals from the West – according to the constant narrative from the Kremlin.
Tokayev rejects Russian orders
The next blow against Putin followed the day after the joint appearance at the economic forum. Tokayev refused to accept the Russian Order of Alexander Nevsky that Moscow had offered him. His press service said he had decided not to accept awards during his tenure, the official justification.
The Order of Alexander Nevsky is awarded to foreign politicians for their services to the development of multilateral cooperation with the Russian Federation and their support in its socio-economic development.
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Source: Stern
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