Kazakhstan president suggests freezing Ukraine conflict to Putin

Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has proposed that Russia and Ukraine "freeze" their conflict, suggesting a return to a "Istanbul Formula 2.0" with the backing of global powers. Speaking at the XXII Forum of Interregional Cooperation between Russia and Kazakhstan in Omsk, Tokayev expressed his view that the conflict's nature is unclear to many and that it is causing a loss of young lives, which he described as detrimental to the gene pool of both nations.

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My humble opinion is that perhaps this conflict should already be frozen and return to the Istanbul Formula 2.0.

"My humble opinion is that perhaps this conflict should already be frozen and return to the Istanbul Formula 2.0," Tokayev stated, emphasizing the need for guarantees from major powers, including Russia. He argued that the ongoing conflict benefits neither Russia nor Ukraine, calling for an end to the bloodshed.

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The nature of this conflict is not entirely clear to many, including us...

Tokayev drew a parallel with the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, noting its clear historical origins, and contrasted it with the situation in Ukraine, which he described as significantly more complex.

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It is a pity, of course, that young people are dying. This is the gene pool of the brotherly peoples of Russia and Ukraine. And all this must be stopped, because what is happening, in my firm opinion, is to the benefit and joy of the adversaries of both Russia and the Ukrainian state.

However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov indicated that a freeze is not feasible given Ukraine's current position. Peskov relayed that President Putin had detailed the situation in the special military operation zone to Tokayev. He added that Ukraine could end the conflict by the end of the day if it made the appropriate decisions.

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given the position of Kyiv, a freeze 'as such' is impossible.