CSTO to Conclude Peacekeeping Mission in Kazakhstan; Tokayev Appeals to Pashinyan

The Armenian side has notified the CSTO Secretariat that the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, has appealed to the Prime Minister of Armenia and current chair of the organization, Nikol Pashinyan, requesting to give appropriate instructions regarding the cessation of the CSTO peacekeeping mission in Kazakhstan starting from January 13.

This was reported to Armenpress by the CSTO. "A draft decision for the Collective Security Council of the CSTO has been prepared at the Secretariat and sent to the leaders of CSTO member countries for approval," the statement said.

The CSTO Secretariat announced that the procedure for the withdrawal of peacekeeping forces will be determined during the meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the organization, which will be held via videoconference on January 13.

Previously, CSTO spokesman Vladimir Zaynetdinov informed a TASS correspondent that the withdrawal of peacekeeping forces from Kazakhstan is set to begin on January 13 and will continue for 10 days.