President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone conversation with his Kazakh counterpart Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
He thanked Kazakhstan for the humanitarian assistance provided to Ukraine. He informed Tokayev about the results of the work of security advisers on the implementation of the Ukrainian peace formula and preparations for the Global Peace Summit.
"I informed Mr Tokayev that a meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Forcibly Displaced Ukrainian Children is taking place in Kyiv today. Finally, we discussed the intensification of bilateral trade and economic relations and political dialogue," the Ukrainian president said.
· Conversations between the Ukrainian and Kazakh presidents are not frequent, but they have been held several times since Russia's full-scale invasion.
· In early March 2022, Zelenskyy and Tokayev agreed to cooperate on humanitarian issues.
· In July of the same year, the presidents had another conversation. Zelenskyy thanked Tokayev for not recognising terrorist groups in the occupied parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
· In February 2023, the heads of state discussed humanitarian issues, and Tokayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan's position on "a diplomatic solution to the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine on the basis of the UN Charter and general norms of international law".
· Kazakhstan is in Russia's orbit of influence, and while it has taken a cautious stance on the Russian invasion, it does not support it. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has stated that his country must strictly adhere to the UN Charter, hoping for a ceasefire in Ukraine while remaining in close contact with Russia.
· Through Kazakhstan as an intermediary, Russia is able to purchase some parts that could be used for military purposes. In addition, last year, military equipment travelled from Kazakhstan to Russia.