Tokayev Urges Security Forces to Be Ready for Any 'Crisis Threat' in Kazakhstan

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has convened an emergency meeting of the Security Council in response to the situation unfolding in Russia. Recently, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner private military company, attempted to organize an armed rebellion.

As reported by kommersant.ru, the meeting included representatives from Kazakhstan’s key security agencies and law enforcement bodies. The head of state was briefed by the Prime Minister, Attorney General, and the heads of the National Security Committee, as well as the Ministers of Defense, Internal Affairs, and Foreign Affairs about the implementation of measures regarding the developments in the Russian Federation. This information was released by Tokayev's press service.

The Kazakh president stated that what is happening in Russia is an “internal affair” of the neighboring country. However, he emphasized that Astana is closely monitoring the unfolding events in Russia, as the country is a “strategic partner” of Kazakhstan.

Tokayev has urged the security forces of Kazakhstan to be prepared for any “crisis threat” in the country, in light of the situation in Russia.

On the evening of June 23, Yevgeny Prigozhin was conducting a “march for justice” towards Moscow, which the Russian authorities classified as an armed rebellion (a criminal case has been initiated against the founder of Wagner). The situation was reportedly brought under control by the night of June 24. The fighters from the company released the facilities they had under their control in Rostov-on-Don and returned to their field camps. Prigozhin is expected to travel to Belarus, as Russian authorities have agreed to halt the criminal case against him and not pursue charges against participants of the uprising.