Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said Russian President Vladimir Putin holds deep respect for Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kazakhstan’s first president, describing him as a seasoned statesman who helped lay the foundations of Eurasian integration. Tokayev’s remarks came in an interview with the newspaper Turkistan, where he commented on the two leaders’ recent meeting in Moscow.
“President Putin has always shown warmth and respect toward his friends and colleagues. Even on a busy Saturday, he found time for a relaxed conversation with Kazakhstan’s first president,” Tokayev said. “He values Nazarbayev as an experienced politician who stood at the origins of Eurasian integration—an area where Russia continues to play a leading role. Their meeting speaks volumes about Vladimir Putin’s character.”
Tokayev noted that such conversations are personal and informal and said he does not inquire about their content. “The Russian leader told me in advance about his meeting with Nazarbayev,” he added. “These encounters have become regular but remain unofficial, which President Putin himself emphasizes.”
Putin and Nazarbayev met on December 27 at the Kremlin. The Russian president has previously held several such meetings with Kazakhstan’s first president in Moscow.
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Photo: Official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS