Putin, Tokayev discuss CSTO forces withdrawal

Collective Security Treaty Organisation’s (CSTO) Russian soldiers attend a ceremony marking the end of the CSTO mission in Almaty on Thursday. Pic/AFP

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev have discussed issues related to the start of the withdrawal of CSTO forces from Kazakhstan during a phone conversation, the Kremlin said on Thursday. "Issues related to the start of a coordinated withdrawal of contingents of CSTO member countries from the territory of Kazakhstan were discussed," the Kremlin said in a statement.

The Kazakh leader also expressed special gratitude for the help and support of Russia. Additionally, Tokayev informed Putin about the measures to finally restore order in the Central Asian nation during a phone conversation, the statement added.

A Russia-led military bloc began pulling its troops out of Kazakhstan on Thursday. Kyrgyz military participating in the peacekeeping mission will return to Kyrgyzstan on January 14, the Kyrgyz Defence Ministry spokesperson said on Thursday.

The red level of the terrorist threat has been cancelled in 14 regions of Kazakhstan, including the capital, the National Security Committee said in a statement, reported Sputnik News. The critical level of the terrorist threat has been cancelled in Nur-Sultan, Shymkent and other 12 regions of the country, it added.

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