Lead

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, seated next to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, suggested on Saturday that the Russia-Ukraine conflict be frozen and that both sides return to the "Istanbul formula 2.0," as reported by Al Jazeera. Speaking in the Siberian city of Omsk, Tokayev said, "If I may offer my humble opinion … perhaps it is time to freeze this conflict and return to the Istanbul formula 2.0," according to the outlet. He also declined to serve as a mediator between the two countries.

Coverage Comparison

Al Jazeera framed Tokayev's remarks as a cautious suggestion to freeze the conflict, describing his tone as humble. The outlet noted that Tokayev's comments came amid Kazakhstan's announcement that it had slashed oil production after drone attacks, which were blamed on Ukraine, forced its main export terminal on the Black Sea to shut down. Al Jazeera also highlighted Tokayev's praise for Putin's "diplomatic flexibility" and his naming of Russia among the "great powers" that could guarantee peace in Ukraine.

TASS, in two separate reports, emphasized Tokayev's refusal to mediate and his statements about Russia's greatness. One TASS article quoted Tokayev as saying, "Despite all proposals and calls, I strongly refuse to be a mediator, because I know that Russia is a great country, and the people of Russia are great. So, they can deal with the matters at hand on their own." Another TASS report focused on his proposal to freeze the conflict and return to the Istanbul formula, with Tokayev adding, "The conflict needs to be stopped, because what is happening now is, in my view, beneficial for both Russia's adversaries and Ukraine's adversaries."

While both Al Jazeera and TASS reported Tokayev's call for a freeze and his refusal to mediate, Al Jazeera provided additional context about Kazakhstan's oil production issues, whereas TASS centered its reporting on Tokayev's direct quotes about the conflict and Russia.

Key Claims

  • Tokayev proposed freezing the Russia-Ukraine conflict and returning to the "Istanbul formula 2.0," as reported by both Al Jazeera and TASS. Al Jazeera described the Istanbul formula as a botched agreement that envisaged an immediate suspension of hostilities along the existing front line and further talks brokered by Western powers.
  • Tokayev refused to be a mediator in the conflict, according to TASS. He is quoted as saying, "I strongly refuse to be a mediator, because I know that Russia is a great country, and the people of Russia are great."
  • Kazakhstan has slashed oil production after drone attacks on its main export terminal, as reported by Al Jazeera. The attacks were blamed on Ukraine, though the outlet noted that Ukraine's Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Viktor Mayko, said there was no proof that the drones were Ukrainian.
  • The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) pipeline transports Kazakh crude to the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, according to Al Jazeera. Kazakhstan's crude is known as the CPC brand, named after the consortium that includes Western energy giants such as Chevron, ExxonMobil, and Shell.
  • Al Jazeera also reported that Ukraine has targeted Russia's "shadow fleet" of tankers shipping Russian oil despite Western sanctions.

Perspectives

Kazakhstan's Position

Kazakh President Tokayev suggested freezing the conflict and returning to the Istanbul formula 2.0, while declining to mediate. He praised Russia as a "great country" with "great people," and expressed that the conflict's continuation plays into the hands of the enemies of Russia and Ukraine.

Russia's Position (via TASS)

TASS, the Russian state news agency, highlighted Tokayev's refusal to mediate and his positive statements about Russia, framing the president's remarks in a pro-Russian light without additional commentary on the conflict's causes or progression.

Ukraine's Position (via Al Jazeera)

Al Jazeera reported that Ukraine's Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Viktor Mayko, said there was no proof that the drones that struck Kazakhstan's export terminal were Ukrainian, contradicting the blame placed on Ukraine for the attacks.