Kazakhstan, one of Russia’s closest allies, has rejected a request from Moscow to help Russia in the war against Ukraine, reports NBC.
Furthermore, on Friday, the former Soviet republic said that it does not recognize the breakaway regions of Luhansk and Donetsk as independent states, according to NBC.
Russia used recognition of the two breakaway regions as a lever to start the war against Ukraine on Thursday.
The United States welcomed Kazakhstan’s decisions on Friday.
“We welcome Kazakhstan’s announcement that it will not recognize the Luhansk People’s Republic and the Donetsk People’s Republic.
“We also welcome Kazakhstan’s refusal to send forces to join Putin’s war in Ukraine,” a statement from the US National Security Council said.
Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews
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From the Russians’ perspective, this is a betrayal, after Russia sent security detachments into Kazakhstan to help it stop the regime-change attempt just a couple months ago.
This makes the Kremlin feel even more isolated and desperate … and dangerous.
The West should tread VERY carefully now. I think Putin has snapped, and anything could happen if we don’t.
I also think Russia won’t let it slip that easily with Kazakhstan. As you said, from the Russian perspective, it is a betrayal, and Putin will likely see this as going against their alliance. This can turn dangerous for Kazakhstan as well as Putin does seem to have snapped fully especially now with talking about nuclear weapons.