- Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to freeze the Ukraine war and resume negotiations under the Istanbul formula 2.0 during the 22nd Russia-Kazakhstan Interregional Cooperation Forum in Omsk on July 25, 2026.
- Tokayev emphasized that with security guarantees from the great powers, including Russia, it would be possible to move toward a long-awaited peace.
- During the forum, Tokayev praised Putin's diplomatic flexibility and noted the need to stop the conflict, stating that it plays into the hands of the opponents of the Russian Federation.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called for a freeze on the Ukraine war and a return to negotiations under the Istanbul formula 2.0 during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the 22nd Russia-Kazakhstan Interregional Cooperation Forum in Omsk.123
Tokayev stated, “If I may offer my humble opinion, perhaps it is time to freeze this conflict and return to the Istanbul formula 2.0,” highlighting the potential for a peace deal if both sides agree to halt hostilities.
He emphasized the necessity of “security guarantees from the great powers, including Russia,” to facilitate progress towards a long-awaited peace, asserting that “this must be brought to an end.”45
The Istanbul talks, which took place shortly after Russia's invasion in early 2022 and again in 2025, failed to yield significant breakthroughs. Tokayev remarked, “All this needs to be stopped, the opposite plays into the hands of the opponents of the Russian Federation.”
He also noted the complexity of the conflict, stating that its nature is “not entirely clear to many, including Kazakhstan,” contrasting it with other historical conflicts.
Putin responded by indicating he would update Tokayev on the current situation regarding Ukraine, as the two leaders discussed the ongoing crisis and its implications for regional stability.
“Tokayev made the remarks at the Russia-Kazakhstan Interregional Cooperation Forum in Omsk, where he also praised Putin's 'utmost diplomatic flexibility' from a 2025 summit. Putin responded that he would brief Tokayev on the Ukraine situation.”
