Kazakhstan's Peace Call
Kazakh President Urges Freezing Ukraine War, Proposes Istanbul 2.0 Plan with Major Power Guarantees
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Key Points
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Tokayev urged freezing the Ukraine war and returning to Istanbul Formula 2.0, noting that there were significant results from that format and suggesting peace under guarantees from major powers, including Russia.
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The 2022 Istanbul framework, sometimes referred to as Istanbul 2.0, was based on Ukrainian neutrality and limits on Ukraine's armed forces in return for security guarantees.
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Tokayev praised Putin for maximum diplomatic flexibility during the Anchorage summit with US President Donald Trump, signaling cross-region diplomacy.
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Tokayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan's commitment to strategic cooperation with Russia and described Russia as a great power.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev urged Vladimir Putin to freeze the war in Ukraine during a face-to-face meeting in Omsk on Thursday. The call came on the sidelines of the 22nd Russia-Kazakhstan Interregional Cooperation Forum, where Tokayev pushed for a return to peace talks under the so-called Istanbul Formula 2.0. Financial Times reported the Kazakh leader said he does not fully understand the origins or nature of the conflict but knows that "the death of young people on both sides" makes stopping it necessary.
Tokayev warned that the war benefits "the opponents of both Russia and Ukraine." He said Kazakhstan does not want to act as a formal mediator, arguing Russia can settle the conflict without one. Still, he told Putin that Moscow would be briefed on developments "on the Ukrainian track," according to Kyiv Independent.
What the Istanbul Formula 2.0 Actually Means
The original Istanbul talks took place in spring 2022, just weeks after Russia's full-scale invasion began. That framework centered on Ukrainian neutrality — meaning Ukraine would not join NATO. In return, major powers would give Ukraine formal security guarantees. The talks collapsed before a deal was reached.
Tokayev is now calling for a revised version of that deal. Qazinform reported he wants guarantees from major powers, including Russia itself. He said the earlier Istanbul format "produced significant results" and could serve as a foundation for ending the war. No specific timeline or new terms were outlined.
Tokayev Praises Putin's Diplomacy, Cites US and European Signals
Tokayev praised Putin for showing "maximum diplomatic flexibility" at the recent Anchorage summit with US President Donald Trump. The compliment signals that Kazakhstan sees the current diplomatic climate as a possible opening. Tokayev said he is receiving signals from both the United States and Europe about the situation, according to Newsy Today.
MarketScreener noted that Tokayev made his remarks while standing alongside Putin, a setting that gave the call for a freeze added weight. Kazakhstan sits between Russia and China and has walked a careful line since the invasion began in February 2022. Calling for a freeze — not a Ukrainian victory — reflects that balancing act.
Kazakhstan's Neutral Stance Has Real Limits
Tokayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan's "strategic cooperation" with Russia and called Moscow a "great power." That language signals Astana is not breaking with Russia. But Kazakhstan has also avoided publicly backing the invasion and has maintained trade ties with Western countries. The country has faced pressure from both sides.
By calling for a freeze rather than a Russian withdrawal, Tokayev is not endorsing Ukraine's position. Kyiv has consistently rejected any ceasefire that leaves Russian forces on Ukrainian territory. Kyiv Independent framed the proposal as a call to freeze "Russia's war against Ukraine," a framing that highlights the tension between Tokayev's appeal and Ukrainian red lines.
What Happens Next in the Peace Push
No formal response from Putin was reported after Thursday's meeting. Russia has previously shown interest in the Istanbul framework, while Ukraine and its Western allies have been far more cautious. A freeze without a peace deal could lock in Russian territorial gains made since 2022.
Tokayev said Moscow would be kept informed about progress "on the Ukrainian track," suggesting back-channel diplomacy is already underway. Whether that amounts to a real peace push or diplomatic positioning ahead of broader talks remains unclear. Qazinform reported Tokayev views a freeze as "a possible step toward a peace settlement," not a final solution.
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