Tokayev proposes returning to Istanbul agreements to resolve Ukraine conflict

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has proposed returning to the Istanbul agreements as a basis for resolving the conflict in Ukraine during talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The remarks were reported by RIA Novosti, which provided details of the Putin-Tokayev meeting held in Omsk ahead of the Forum of Interregional Cooperation between Russia and Kazakhstan. 

“Perhaps this conflict should be frozen and we should return to the Istanbul Formula 2.0, as significant results were achieved there. Naturally, with guarantees from the major powers, including Russia. We could then move towards the long-awaited peace,” Tokayev said. 

For his part, Putin said he would brief Tokayev on the current situation surrounding the conflict in Ukraine.