Kazakhstan’s Defense Minister on CSTO Crisis

Kazakhstan’s Defense Minister Ruslan Zhaksylykov has stated that he does not see any crisis within the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). “There is no crisis,” Zhaksylykov stated on Wednesday.

The minister emphasized that Kazakhstan is fulfilling its obligations within the framework of the organization.

When asked if the activities of the CSTO are relevant, the minister responded positively: “Relevance always exists, both politically and economically, so let’s accept this as a basis: there should be no speculations,” Zhaksylykov highlighted.

“In terms of our state, the Republic of Kazakhstan’s participation, everything is stable; Kazakhstan is fulfilling its obligations, the work programs that we have previously approved,” the minister clarified.

According to him, there is generally no sense in talking about “any panic or any problems.”

The CSTO comprises six nations: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan.