Kazakhstan's Ministry of Defense on Allegations of 'NATO Center' Opening in Almaty

Kazakhstan's Ministry of Defense has denied media reports regarding the opening of a 'NATO center' in Almaty, as reported by RIA Novosti.

“On October 23, 2023, an official opening of a new conference hall at the Peacekeeping Operations Center of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan took place in Almaty with the participation of U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan Daniel Rosenblum. The center has been operating since 2006 as an educational institution aimed at developing the peacekeeping component of the armed forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan,” the ministry stated in its announcement.

It was emphasized that this refers to a state institution for further education affiliated with the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan. As noted by Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, in commenting on the rumors about the 'NATO center' opening, Moscow expects to receive additional information from Astana on this matter.