ADDS INFORMATION FROM MEETING BETWEEN KAZAKH PRESIDENT, GERMAN CHANCELLOR UNDER SUBHEADING
By Efe Ozkan and Burc Eruygur
ISTANBUL (AA) – Kazakhstan’s president on Monday said that a Chinese-Brazilian peace initiative for the war in Ukraine is deserving of support.
"In our opinion, the peace plan of China and Brazil deserves support," Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was quoted as saying in a statement by the Kazakh presidency during talks in the capital Astana with visiting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Arguing that "Russia is militarily invincible," Tokayev warned that further escalation of the conflict in Ukraine would lead to "irreparable consequences for all of humanity" and for all countries directly involved.
While a "good chance" to achieve a truce was missed with the refusal to conclude the 2022 Istanbul agreements early in the conflict, he said the opportunity to achieve peace still exists.
"It is necessary to carefully consider all peace initiatives of various states and come to a decision to stop military action, and then move on to discussing territorial issues," he also said.
He went on to say that while leaders "come and go," people must live in peace and mutual understanding, especially those neighboring each other.
"Kazakhstan has the longest delimited land border with Russia in the world, cooperation between our countries is developing within the framework of strategic partnership and alliance," Tokayev said.
"In Kazakhstan, there is genuine sympathy for the Ukrainian people, their unique culture. There have never been disagreements between our countries. The embassy of our country continues to function in (the capital) Kyiv," he added.
In May, China and Brazil presented a joint six-point proposal for peace talks with Russia and Ukraine's participation.
Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed the proposal as "destructive.”
Russian officials have welcomed the proposal as balanced.
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During narrow and expanded talks, Tokayev defined Scholz's visit to the country as "historic", marking Scholz’s first visit in 14 years.
"I am sure that we will give a very serious impetus to the development of our cooperation and increase in bilateral trade. This is very important since Germany is one of our main European and even global partners. We attach great importance to our very intensive and multifaceted cooperation," Tokayev said.
He further said that Kazakhstan will do everything possible to further deepen and strengthen ties with Germany.
For his part, Scholz thanked Tokayev for his invitation. Scholz said Germany strives to enhance economic relations, expand the possibilities of mutual trade, and make direct investments in Kazakhstan.
"We want to develop economic cooperation in all other areas. We are very pleased that our cooperation in the energy sector is steadily advancing. We have established trusting, consistent cooperation. This is a good example for the whole world," Scholz added.
Following the talks, the leaders inked three memoranda on expanding cooperation in banking and higher education.
Scholz arrived in Astana as part of a three-day official visit to Central Asia, which commenced with a visit to neighboring Uzbekistan a day earlier.