Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called for freezing the war in Ukraine and praised Russian leader Vladimir Putin during a joint press conference in Berlin with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Tokayev argued that an immediate end to the conflict remains unrealistic under current conditions, proposing instead a halt to military actions to allow for diplomatic negotiations.
Tokayev Pushes for a Frozen Conflict and Defense of Sovereignty
Speaking in Berlin, Tokayev outlined Astana’s position on the ongoing war while emphasizing the importance of state borders. He stated that Kazakhstan insists every nation must maintain its territorial integrity. Tokayev acknowledged that stopping the war immediately is not feasible, pointing to a need for a tactical freeze.
“I am talking not about the war ending as quickly as possible—yes, I understand that under modern conditions this is somewhat unrealistic—but about freezing military actions so as to then move on to diplomacy and negotiations,” Tokayev said.
The Kazakh leader also noted that Kazakhstan has adhered to the United Nations Charter since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion. He expressed respect for the Ukrainian people, their history, culture, traditions, and language.
Diplomatic Friction With German Chancellor Friedrich Merz
During the same appearance, Tokayev described Putin as the most acceptable political figure for Central Asia, Europe, and the world, calling him an outstanding statesman who possesses the necessary qualities to lead a large country with a complex history. This rhetoric drew an immediate rebuttal from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Merz strongly disagreed with the assessment, stating that Russia shows no interest in a genuine peace settlement. The German chancellor pointed to a recent meeting between the German foreign minister and Sergey Lavrov in New York as evidence that Moscow rejects serious dialogue. Merz reiterated Germany’s commitment to supporting Ukraine and urged Russia to return to the negotiating table.
Balancing Relations Along a Shared Border
Tokayev defended his diplomatic balancing act by highlighting the geographic and demographic realities facing Kazakhstan. The two countries share a border stretching 7,597 kilometers, and Kazakhstan is home to 2.7 million ethnic Russians alongside an Orthodox church.
“All these moments must be taken into account. You cannot rush things recklessly,” Tokayev stated. “Kazakhstan needs peace and stability. Without this, we will never be a successful country.”
Background on Prior Proposals
This appearance follows similar diplomatic messaging from Astana earlier in the year. During a July meeting in Omsk, Tokayev proposed freezing the conflict through the assistance of global powers and reviving negotiations based on the “Istanbul formula”. At the time, Putin indicated he would keep the Kazakh president informed on developments regarding the “Ukrainian direction”.
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