Head of Rossotrudnichestvo Yevgeny Primakov said that the agency refused to work and maintain contacts with the new Minister of Information and Social Development of Kazakhstan Askar Umarov, citing the views expressed by the official as the reason. RIA Novosti reported.
It is noted that he cited several statements by the politician, where he spoke unflatteringly about the Russians, calling them an «imposed diaspora,» and about the Great Patriotic War as a «foreign war.»
«Rossotrudnichestvo does not maintain contacts, does not work and does not cooperate with the Russophobic trash, which completely prevents any interaction between us and the minister mentioned,» Yevgeny Primakov said.
At the same time, he stressed that Rossotrudnichestvo is not engaged in political struggle and does not interfere in the affairs of sovereign states.
«I believe that Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan, is having a very hard time now in his work, trying to restore normal life in the country, in which he has received invaluable assistance from CSTO forces, including 3,000 Russian servicemen. Apparently, the appointment of Mr. Umarov is an example of the very difficult and conscious compromises that Mr. President has to make,» the head of Rossotrudnichestvo said.
Yevgeny Primakov expressed hope that such compromises wouldn’t ruin the friendship of the two nations and that Askar Umarov would publicly renounce his chauvinistic views.
In turn, Dmitry Rogozin, Roskosmos CEO, wrote on Twitter: «We will not welcome Askar Umarov at Baikonur Cosmodrome. We are not waiting for him there.»
The official himself called such publications an attempt to demonize his image. «I am not who they are trying to make me out to be. In all my previous positions I tried to conduct fruitful work with Russian and other partners. We did good projects together, including on the occasion of common dates, such as Victory Day and so on. I understand how important allied relations with Russia are for us. The support of the Russian Federation for our country evokes respect and gratitude,» he said.
On January 11, the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree on the new composition of the government of the republic, in which some members of the Cabinet kept their posts, and some were promoted.
Mass protests in Kazakhstan began on January 2, 2022. Residents of Zhanaozen and Aktau in Mangistau region opposed the increase in prices for liquefied gas, then the protests spread to other regions. The situation is slowly stabilizing; the anti-terrorist operation continues. Internet access has been restored.
President of the republic Kassym-Jomart Tokayev introduced a state of emergency in the republic, dismissed the government and became the head of the Security Council. At his request, the CSTO countries sent peacekeeping forces to Kazakhstan. Scorpion special unit was sent to the republic from Kyrgyzstan.
It is known that the CSTO mission in Kazakhstan has been successfully completed. Withdrawal of troops will begin today.
