This article is reproduced by Niu Danqin (id:bullpiano) with authorization. Author: Niu Danqin
The situation is very delicate. In the presence of Putin, President Tokayev of Kazakhstan said something very unusual.
These remarks mainly occurred in the question and answer session of the St. Petersburg forum.
Today, the head of Russia, margaritasimonyan, asked: what is Kazakhstan’s position on the Ukrainian process?
Tokaev seems to have come prepared and talked freely:
With all due respect, there are various discussions on this issue. Our society is open and a mature civil society, so it is allowed to express different opinions. However, I would like to point out the following: the current international order is based on the Charter of the United Nations. However, the two major principles of the United Nations are actually contradictory, that is, the territorial integrity of States and the right of peoples to self-determination. These principles are contradictory and have different interpretations.
He pointed the spearhead at the United Nations, and then he went on to analyze: some people believe that the integrity of a country is sacrosanct, while others believe that a certain part of the people in any national structure have the right to establish their own country and split from a country. “It seems that the founder of the United Nations did not take this into account in those years, or deliberately wrote it into the Charter as a compromise.”
Tokaev went on to say that if this right of national self-determination is allowed, the United Nations will no longer be 193 countries, but 500-600 countries will emerge.
“Of course, this will lead to chaos. That is why we do not recognize Taiwan, Kosovo, South Ossetia and Abkhazia. This principle also applies to Lugansk and Donetsk, which are considered quasi state entities. This is my open answer to your open-ended questions.”
Although Kazakhstan and Russia have close relations, Tokayev’s attendance at the St. Petersburg forum in person is an important gesture, but Tokayev’s meaning should also be very clear:
1. The two major principles of the Charter of the United Nations, the territorial integrity of States and the right of peoples to self-determination, are contradictory;
2. In order to compromise, the original founders of the United Nations stuffed the two together, leaving major hidden dangers;
3. If the right of national self-determination is followed, there will be 500-600 countries in the world, which is definitely a mess;
Therefore, Kazakhstan does not recognize Kosovo, South Ossetia, Abkhazia, Lugansk and Donetsk.
Of course, it must be pointed out that Tokaev first mentioned Taiwan. Although his attitude is very clear and he will not recognize Taiwan, it is wrong to compare Taiwan here. Taiwan is a province of China, and its main population is also the Han nationality. There is no issue of national self-determination. The Taiwan issue is a legacy of China’s civil war and is completely different from the following entities.
But Kazakhstan’s concerns are also obvious.
This worry is about the abuse of the right of national self-determination by the West and the anxiety that Russia should follow the Western practice.
Although it was a live question and answer, although it was a very difficult question, Tokaev’s answer was very artistic.
The first mentioned Taiwan, followed by Kosovo.
The west is the initiator of the Kosovo issue. It was the so-called national self-determination that the West supported Kosovo in those years that triggered the war of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Under the heavy bombardment of the west, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was forced to yield and then disintegrated. In fact, Kosovo was independent. Western countries such as the United States, Britain, France and Germany recognized it one after another, but Russia, China, Serbia and many other countries refused to recognize it.
Then he mentioned South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which are related to Russia. Both regions are considered to be part of Georgia, but after the conflict, the two regions declared independence and were recognized by Russia. However, in Tokaev’s eyes, this also belongs to the abuse of the right of national self-determination.
This sort is very particular. You can understand the profound meaning of Tokaev’s sort.
Finally, Tokaev concluded that Kazakhstan would not recognize Lugansk and Donetsk.
In the turmoil at the beginning of this year, Tokayev encountered major challenges, but he quickly stabilized the situation with a strong hand, and Kazakhstan’s first President Nazarbayev retired completely. At the invitation of Tokaev, the Russian led collective security organization also sent troops to Kazakhstan to maintain public order.
Russia and Kazakhstan have close relations, but they are not without discord.
In his speech at the St. Petersburg forum, Tokaev also said:
Although it may not be very appropriate, I still want to take this opportunity to protest against some Russian people’s completely illogical and factual remarks about Kazakhstan. Some media people, including even celebrities in the cultural circles… Today, I would like to thank vladimirputin, the supreme leader of the Kremlin, for his complete expression of his position on other countries, especially my country Kazakhstan. In fact, there is no problem between us that needs to be exaggerated with the help of many speaking skills.
What is illogical and untrue?
Just in April this year, a Russian TV host claimed that Kazakhstan would face the same fate as Ukraine if it did not resolutely stand by Russia. This triggered strong dissatisfaction in Kazakhstan, and the Ministry of foreign affairs of Kazakhstan declared this person an unwelcome person.
In his speech, Tokaev said that these remarks would only harm the interests of the two peoples and the Russian Federation itself. “These remarks are inexplicable to me. The people mentioned above expressed their views on the decision of Kazakh leaders or what is happening in Kazakhstan in a strange way.”
He expressed his dissatisfaction with some people in Russia, but also cleverly praised Putin. Indeed, it is true that there are words in the words, with softness and hardness.
How did Putin react?
I didn’t see the video, but in Putin’s style, I guess I was half lying down and listening with a smile. But looking at the Kremlin website, he then had such an exchange with Tokayev.
Putin:
Thank you very much for coming to St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. For us, it is important to emphasize our special relationship. Of course, we also have the opportunity to exchange views with you on major issues, mainly economic issues.
This year we will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. We will celebrate this. On the whole, our government is working very hard. Times are tough, and they are looking for solutions to every problem. We will now have the opportunity to discuss this issue during the talks and at the informal dinner.
Tokaev:
I am glad to accept your invitation to attend this prestigious forum. I listened to your speech with great interest. I think the world will respond well to it. As for bilateral cooperation, there is no need to worry. Everything is going well.
This year is really special, the 30th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations. In other words, we have every reason to talk about the great success we have achieved in developing bilateral cooperation. I think we will continue to develop this positive momentum. Yes, there are some questions that need to be clarified. We can discuss them at the next bilateral meeting or dinner.
Overall, it was very friendly, but the amount of information in the words was actually quite large.
Finally, what do you think?
Let’s go for three.
First, Tokayev is indeed not simple.
He did not evade an obvious question about digging a hole, and answered it quite directly. And in the presence of Putin, he made it clear that he would not recognize Lugansk and Donetsk. It still needs a little courage and wisdom. As a leader of an important country in Central Asia, Tokaev’s calming down of the unrest at the beginning of the year and his candid statement this time are really impressive and have a lot of personality. It is estimated that Putin will have a heart to heart talk with him later.
Second, the complexity of Russia Kazakhstan relations.
As a former Soviet Union Republic, Russia Kazakhstan relations are generally good. In the two UN General Assembly votes to humiliate Russia this year, Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries abstained in condemning the Russian invasion (Belarus is the negative vote), but Kazakhstan is the negative vote in expelling Russia from the Human Rights Council. However, Kazakhstan also has a large Russian population. The great power chauvinism of some Russians also makes Kazakhstan wary, which should also be an important reason for Tokayev’s bluntness.
Third, the international community should really reflect on the double standards.
However, I always feel that the questions raised by Tokaev do represent the strong dissatisfaction of many countries, and the international community does need to reflect deeply. The West should not advocate the right of national self-determination and dismember other countries for its own self-interest; When Russia took action, it emphasized the integrity of national sovereignty. This double label has opened the Pandora’s box, led to the chaos of the international community, and also laid the groundwork for a new crisis.
Think about it. If there were 500-600 countries in the world, what would it be like?