'Both Russia and Ukraine are friendly nations of Kazakhstan' — Kazakh official

AKIPRESS.COM - Minister of Information and Social Development of Kazakhstan Dauren Abayev commented the words of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev about Crimea on a TV program "Open Dialogue", Zakon.kz reported. "First of all, I would like to underline that Kazakhstan is one of those countries for which a conflict between Russia and Ukraine is unfavorable in any ways. Both of the nations are friendly for us. Russians and Ukrainians are also friendly to each other and this is recognized by both countries. Therefore, we are interested in a speedy and peaceful resolution of the problems," the Minister said.
Abayev noted that a war is happening not on the field, but in the minds of people.
"The principle of "eaither you are with us, or against" is dominating. But any attempt to give a cautious position, which is aimed not to harm the future negotiations, is admitted negatively. In fact, we are taken hostage by the hysteria around words and intonations. Our President, as a real diplomat, stressed that annexation is too heavy formulation. He did not express any condemnation or support," the Minister added.
According to him, Tokayev as a person who understands the consequences of such words would not use a strong language.