Russian MP Proposes Permanent Deployment of CSTO Forces in Kazakhstan

The CSTO forces should be permanently stationed in Kazakhstan, including for the protection of the local Russian population. This was stated by Sergey Mironov, a member of the Russian State Duma. He specifically noted that the majority of these forces are comprised of Russian military units, and these units could be left in Kazakhstan on a permanent basis to establish a stable base to counter extremism, including in the future.

According to Mironov, this would create a new system whose objectives would include ensuring the safety of the Russian-speaking population. He also mentioned, as reported by REGNUM, that merely deploying military contingents will not resolve security issues in Kazakhstan, and it is essential to change the approaches towards civil peace and consensus. Additionally, there is a need to ensure decent living conditions for the people and strengthen citizen trust in the authorities.