Tokayev says order restored in Kazakhstan after ‘coup attempt’. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry condemns violence during protests

Putin promised to withdraw the “peacekeepers” but did not say when.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, speaking at a session of the Collective Security Council of the CSTO, stated that order in his country has been fully restored. 

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
President of Kazakhstan

Full order in Kazakhstan has been restored, dangerous threats to the country’s security have been prevented, and as part of the counterterrorist operation, work is underway to identify persons who took part in the crimes. The operation continues, and plans are being adjusted to identify the fleeing militants, who are using new camouflage tactics: changing into civilian clothes, shaving off their beards, and so on. A great deal of intense work lies ahead, with veterans of law enforcement agencies and the army being involved. 

According to him, to date, “about 8,000 people have been brought to police stations, and law enforcement and special agencies are checking their involvement in acts of terrorism, murders, looting and other crimes.” 

He said that “116 units of weapons have been seized.” Tokayev noted that 2,030 CSTO servicemen and 250 units of military equipment are carrying out “peacekeeping tasks” in the country. 

According to him, the international community will be provided with additional evidence of the preparation and conduct of terrorist aggression against Kazakhstan. 

The president claims that a coup d’état was being prepared, and that the organizers used public discontent over rising auto gas prices as a pretext, but did not abandon their plans even after the protesters’ price demands were met. 

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
President of Kazakhstan

This is about an attempted coup d’état. It is now obvious that all these combat operations were coordinated from a single center, and the carefully planned operation has entered its decisive phase. This is evidenced by synchronized attacks on regional government buildings, law enforcement offices, pretrial detention facilities, strategic facilities, banks, a TV tower and TV channels. Airports were seized, road and rail lines were blocked, and the work of ambulances and firefighters was obstructed. Under the guise of spontaneous protests, a wave of mass riots unfolded. As if on a single command, religious radicals, criminal elements, hardened bandits, looters and petty hooligans emerged. Socio-economic and socio-political demands were pushed into the background and forgotten. Following this, a hot phase began, and groups of armed militants that had been waiting for their hour went into action. 

He added that the main goal has become apparent: “undermining the constitutional order, destroying governance institutions, seizing power.” 

Putin promised to withdraw the “peacekeepers” but did not say when

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the peacekeeping contingent will remain in Kazakhstan “for a limited period and, after fulfilling its functions, will be withdrawn from the republic.” 

Vladimir Putin
President of Russia

A contingent of CSTO collective peacekeeping forces has been sent to Kazakhstan, and, I want to stress this, for a period limited in time, for as long as the President of Kazakhstan, the head of state, the head of Kazakhstan, considers it possible to use it. After fulfilling its functions, of course, the entire contingent will be withdrawn from the territory of Kazakhstan. 

According to him, the CSTO peacekeeping operation in the country was “exceptionally timely and legitimate.” 

He noted that CSTO units are in Kazakhstan “on the basis of an official request from the republic’s leadership and in full compliance with Article 4 of the 1992 Collective Security Treaty, which provides that in the event of aggression against any of the member states, all other countries will provide the necessary support and assistance, including military.” 

Putin said that in telephone conversations the Kazakh leader said that “people called him and asked him to protect them from attacks by bandits and terrorists.” 

First reaction from Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry

Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry responded for the first time to the protests in Kazakhstan, saying that it is “closely following the developments.” 

“We condemn the violence that erupted in a number of Kazakh cities and led to numerous casualties. We express condolences over the deaths of Kazakh citizens, with whom Ukrainians have long-standing ties of friendship and mutual respect,” the ministry’s statement says. 

The ministry said that “at this critical time for the people of Kazakhstan, it is extremely important to take maximum measures to de-escalate the situation and avoid further violence, guarantee respect for human rights, and ensure the resumption of critical infrastructure and communications systems.” 

The ministry added that it “took note of” the deployment on Kazakh territory of foreign military forces, dominated by the Russian contingent, at the invitation of Kazakh authorities. 

“Foreign forces must respect the independence, sovereignty and national legislation of Kazakhstan and international law, and their presence must not go beyond the declared limited time frame,” the statement says. 

The ministry said it will continue to protect the interests of Ukrainians in Kazakhstan, in particular by assisting them in returning home.