After the successful hosting of the SCO Summit, Astana has ushered in a new round of diplomacy. According to the "Astana Times", Germany Chancellor Scholz's special plane recently landed at the airport of the capital of Kazakhstan. This is the first state visit by a head of government of Germany to Kazakhstan after 14 years.
As for the purpose of the trip, it can be seen from the large business delegation brought by Scholz that the economy, energy, climate and regional cooperation will be the focus of the talks.
Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
In addition to Kazakhstan, Scholz will visit four other countries in Central Asia in three days. Basically, it was a rush of contact, without a deeper conversation. However, even in a limited time, Scholz still brought the Russia-Ukraine conflict to the table.
At Scholz's request, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev commented on the current situation in Russia and Ukraine. Tokayev bluntly said that "in a military sense, Russia cannot be defeated."
He also said that "the peace initiatives put forward by China and Brazil are worthy of support", and all parties should seriously consider these initiatives, first promote a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, and then discuss the territorial issue.
There are two details worth noting in this statement, one is Tokayev's recognition of Russia's military superiority. In other words, the West's attempt to drag down Russia through military aid to Ukraine is very rare, and it is necessary to face the fact that the Russian army has military superiority.
The situation in Russia and Ukraine
Compared with the previous one, Tokayev "repeatedly demolished" on the issue of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, this time the statement made in front of Scholz gave Putin a face.
This just shows that Tokayev is very politically wise in looking at the geopolitical crisis and in dealing with relations between major powers.
I still remember that at the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, when the four places in eastern Ukraine launched a "referendum on joining Russia" and were Russia included in the "national territory", Tokayev even bluntly said in front of Putin that "I will not support the referendum result", and I will not recognize the "Republic of Lugansk" and "Republic of Donetsk".
The reason for this emphasis is not that Tokayev wants to deliberately "embarrass Putin", but that he has taken into account the actual situation of Kazakhstan itself.
As a multi-ethnic country, if Kazakhstan supports the exercise of the "right to national self-determination" by means of "referendums", it will leave room for external forces to interfere in its internal affairs.
Tokayev and Putin shake hands
Therefore, Tokayev was very cautious on this issue. As for the recognition of Russia's military superiority, this is also a fact in itself, and even many Western countries admit that it is not easy for Ukraine to reverse its disadvantages on the battlefield.
Since it is a fact, then it would be harmless for Tokayev to say it, even if the West is dissatisfied, but it is powerless to refute it.
Judging from Tokayev's support for the peace initiatives put forward by China and Brazil, it can be seen that he is inclined to support the role of China and Brazil as "mediators".
This is slightly different from the statements made by Russia President Vladimir Putin and Italy Prime Minister Meloni, who mentioned China and India, arguing that India also has the potential to act as a "mediator".
When Tokayev talked about the possibility of Russian-Ukrainian peace talks, he only ignored India, which is actually because India really did not come up with any effective plan in mediating the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
India Prime Minister Narendra Modi
India Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Russia and Ukraine during his new term, posing as an active participant in and resolving international affairs, but the symbolism is far greater than the actual meaning, which is why there is no "presence".