The peacekeeping contingent will stay in Kazakhstan for a limited period, and after performing its functions it will be withdrawn from the republic.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said this, speaking at an extraordinary session of the CSTO Collective Security Council.

Putin called the CSTO peacekeeping operation in Kazakhstan extremely timely and legitimate. In the case of Kazakhstan, the CSTO demonstrated its potential and its ability to act quickly, decisively and effectively, the Russian leader said.

As the president said, Russia understands that the threat to Kazakhstan was not caused by spontaneous protests, but by external and internal destructive forces.

Putin suggested that the secretaries of the CSTO summits be instructed to submit proposals for joint countermeasures against attempts at outside interference. He said that the CSTO countries must be ready to respond to any provocations so that tragedies like the one in Kazakhstan will not take anyone by surprise in the future.

 According to him, Russia intends to continue prioritizing the strengthening of relations with all CSTO countries.