"Tokaev on Nazarbayev and Putin's meetings: 'He is morally closely connected to the Kremlin.'"

As the interviewer noted, the recent meeting between the first president and Vladimir Putin in Moscow has led to various interpretations and assessments, with some expressing confusion about the appropriateness of such a meeting five years after the official resignation. Conspiracy theories related to the upcoming presidential elections in Kazakhstan have also emerged.

The journalist asked Tokayev to share his thoughts on why such meetings are necessary, who needs them, and who initiates them.

"The December meeting between Nursultan Nazarbayev and Vladimir Putin appears to be the second one in the past year. The first meeting in early autumn was not reported in the media. They seem to meet as long-time friends and colleagues, with much to reminisce about.

Nursultan Abishevich is the initiator of these meetings, and they are extremely important to him. It should not be forgotten that as the former chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Kazakh SSR, a party leader, and later the president of sovereign Kazakhstan, he is morally and politically closely linked to the Kremlin. After all, so much time was spent in business trips to Moscow, at congresses and plenums, during working and official visits," – Tokayev shared.

In the interview, Tokayev also discussed his relationship with the first president, Nazarbayev, stating that he speaks with him once a month.

You can read the full interview with the head of state, which he referred to as a special address to the people of Kazakhstan, here.

Recall that earlier in December, Vladimir Putin met with the first president of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev. Information about this appeared on the Kremlin's website. No additional details about the meeting were disclosed in the published information.

In October of this year, the president of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, congratulated the people of Kazakhstan on Republic Day and spoke about the merits of Nursultan Nazarbayev, noting that "they cannot be forgotten."