The return of the CSTO peacekeepers from Kazakhstan, which should begin on January 13, will end on January 19. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said this at a meeting with President Vladimir Putin, according to the Kremlin website.

We start withdrawing today. Tomorrow, on 14 aircraft, we will withdraw all the forces of our colleagues – Armenia, Tajikistan, Belarus. The Kyrgyz colleagues are leaving – taking into account that they are nearby – on their own. Further, within five days, as the objects are transferred, the withdrawal of the remaining peacekeeping forces will also be carried out. We plan to complete all the work on the 19th.

Putin stressed the importance of the fact that the rule of law in Kazakhstan was restored with the help of the CSTO peacekeepers.

In fact, this is the first such operation by the CSTO forces. Together, we have completed a very important task. This will allow the leadership of the Republic of Kazakhstan to resolve issues of a socio-economic and political nature in a free, calm mode, in a dialogue with society. It is very important.

“In general, we need to return home – we have fulfilled our task,” the Russian president added.

(c)MEDUZA 2022