Kazakhstan says it won’t recognise referendums in eastern Ukraine

According to EURACTIV, Kazakhstan, one of Russia’s close ex-Soviet republics, will not recognise the possible annexation of Ukraine’s eastern regions by Russia through referendums held there, the Central Asian nation’s foreign ministry said on Monday (26 September).

Voting took place in four Ukrainian regions mostly held by Russian forces, the start of a plan by President Vladimir Putin to annex a big chunk of Ukraine in what the West says is violation of international law that significantly escalates war in the country. Russia calls its actions in Ukraine “a special military operation”.

“As for the holding of referendums … Kazakhstan proceeds from the principles of territorial integrity of states, their sovereign equivalence and peaceful coexistence,” ministry spokesman Aibek Smadiyarov said.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has repeatedly called for the resolution of the Ukrainian conflict in line with the United Nations charter.

“We reconfirm our readiness to provide all possible assistance to the establishment of a political dialogue,” Smadiyarov said. “At the same time, our country believes that maintaining stability at either regional or global level is the most important goal.”

Despite being tied to Russia with membership of the Eurasian economic union and of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), Kazakhstan has kept neutrality with respect to the conflict in Ukraine.

The former Soviet republic has also stopped the export of weapons for one year, to make sure Kazakh weaponry is not used by either side in the conflict.

Kazakhstan is worried about the impact of Western sanctions on Russia on its own economy. The country is making efforts to re-route its oil exports to the EU, while Russia responds by threats to shut a pipeline bringing the Kazakh oil to the Black sea.