Kazakh President Warns of ‘Irreparable Consequences’ if Russia-Ukraine War Escalates

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has expressed concern about the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, warning that further escalation could lead to “irreparable consequences” for humanity.

He made these remarks during a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Astana, Kazakhstan’s capital.

“It is a fact that, from a military standpoint, Russia is invincible,” Tokayev was quoted by his press service as saying on Monday. “Further escalation of the war will lead to irreparable consequences for all of humanity, and, above all, for the countries directly involved in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.” 

Tokayev also noted that a chance to ease tensions was missed with the collapse of the Istanbul Agreement, which aimed to declare Ukraine a neutral state, limit its military capabilities, and have Russia and Western countries guarantee its security. Talks fell apart in May 2022, despite both sides considering significant compromises.

Despite this, Tokayev remains hopeful for peace. He emphasized the importance of exploring all peace initiatives and called for an immediate ceasefire.

“We need to carefully consider all peace initiatives put forward by various states, come to a decision to stop hostilities, and then move on to discussing territorial issues. In our opinion, the peace plan of China and Brazil deserves support,” he said. 

Tokayev also pointed out that Kazakhstan shares the world’s longest delimited land border with Russia and has a strong relationship with the country.

“Cooperation between our countries is developing within the framework of strategic partnership and alliance. In Kazakhstan, we have genuine sympathy for the Ukrainian people and their distinctive culture. There have never been any disagreements between our states. The embassy of our country continues to function in Kyiv,” he added. 

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine escalated into a full-scale war in early 2022 when Russian troops entered Ukraine, claiming to protect people in separatist-controlled regions. Russia’s initial offensive, which targeted northern, eastern, and southern Ukraine, faced stiff resistance from Ukraine’s military and civilians, preventing Moscow from achieving its early goals.

The conflict has roots in the 2014 crisis, when Russia annexed Crimea and supported separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk. Today, Russia controls nearly a fifth of Ukraine’s territory, while Ukraine remains determined to reclaim all occupied areas, insisting that peace can only come with the restoration of its territorial integrity.

Russia had previously pushed for peace talks while holding an advantage on the battlefield, effectively demanding Ukraine’s surrender. However, after Ukraine launched a military operation in Russia’s Kursk region, Moscow ruled out further negotiations.