The Russian parliament, “the Kremlin,” announced in a statement today, Saturday, that Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Kazakh counterpart Kassym-Gomert Tokayev had a “long” telephone conversation in which they discussed the situation of the crisis in Kazakhstan.
“The two presidents exchanged views on the measures taken to restore order in Kazakhstan,” a statement said, adding that they agreed to maintain “always” contact.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement condemning the statements of US Secretary of State Blinken and third, that “the US foreign minister tried to joke regarding the tragedy unfolding in Kazakhstan.” “It was a blunt attempt, and this is not the first time,” the ministry statement added, adding that Blinken “ridiculed a completely legitimate reaction” in the framework of security agreements between Kazakhstan and Russia.
Kazakhstan, the largest country in Central Asia, is rocked by a protest movement that began on Sunday in the provinces following the increase in gas prices, and then spread to other cities, especially to Almaty, the country’s economic capital, where the demonstrations turned into riots that killed dozens of people.
A contingent of Russian forces and other countries allied with Moscow arrived Thursday in Kazakhstan to support the authorities by protecting strategic buildings and supporting the police.
