Zelenskyy thanks Kazakhstan's President Tokayev for not recognising Luhansk and Donetsk "republics"

ALONA MAZURENKO – SATURDAY, 23 JULY 2022, 13:56

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has thanked the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev, for not recognising the Luhansk and Donetsk "People’s Republics" - quasi-states on the occupied territory of Ukraine.

Source: Zelenskyy on Twitter

Quote: "I had a telephone conversation with President Tokayev of Kazakhstan. I thanked him for his principled support of the territorial integrity of Ukraine and non-recognition of the so-called ‘LPR’ (Luhansk People’s Republic) and ‘DPR’ (Donetsk People’s Republic).

We discussed specific cooperation projects relating to the economy, energy and digitalisation. We exchanged congratulations on the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Kazakhstan."

Background:

On 15 June, Tokayev said live on the Russian propaganda TV channel Rossiya 24 that Kazakhstan would not assist Russia in circumventing sanctions, and was also indignant that some Russian politicians have been engaging in aggressive rhetoric towards Kazakhstan.

Tokayev said in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin that he would not recognise "quasi-state formations" in Donbas.

Tokayev instructed the government to diversify oil supply routes to bypass the Russian Federation after a Russian court ordered the Caspian Pipeline Consortium to suspend operations for 30 days.