Expert: Idea of restoring USSR off table in Kazakhstan due to its complete inferiority Talgat Kaliyev hosted by Caliber.Az

Caliber.Az presents blitz-interview with Talgat Kaliyev, Kazakh political analyst, former advisor to the Kazakh embassy in Azerbaijan, and former head of the Central Communications Service under the president of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

- How do you evaluate the Kazakh president's speech at the plenary session of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum with Vladimir Putin's participation on June 17?

- President Tokayev's speech at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum was pragmatic and realistic. And for those present, Kazakhstan's position on the areas of eastern Ukraine should not have been news, since we are notable for our foreign policy consistency and have never recognised the disputed territories, and have always been in favour of resolving issues within the framework of international law.

- There is an opinion that Tokayev's words were allegedly coordinated with Moscow in advance. Do you share this opinion?

- The character of the questions and their provocative essence do not leave room for assumptions about their coordination. Here the question is rather about the unprofessionalism of the moderator, who tried in a provocative manner to force the head of a foreign state to give her a convenient answer. And it is necessary to give credit to the diplomatic experience and tact of Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who was able in such a difficult situation quite correctly, but firmly and without caveats to formulate the position of Kazakhstan.

- What is the attitude in Kazakhstan in general towards the idea of the creation of the "USSR 2.0" project hovering in Moscow?

- The idea of USSR restoration is off the table in Kazakhstan due to its complete inferiority and utopianism. The inviolability of our sovereignty is declared by the Constitution and is the main value of all citizens.

- By the way, Russia has limited the export of Kazakh oil. Is this a kind of response to Tokayev's statement?

- The transit of Kazakh oil is limited due to the necessity of clearing the water reservoir from the munitions of World War II. And it was announced before the speech of Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Probably, these measures are aimed at creating a rush on the oil markets and increasing demand and quotations. Although, in the current situation, it is difficult to judge the rational motives of what is happening.

- What other actions can the Russian Federation take in this direction? And doesn't this generally indicate a breakdown in the CSTO [Collective Security Treaty Organisation] and the EAEU [Eurasian Economic Union]?

- On the whole, Russia is not currently benefiting from a deterioration of relations with its allies. The world's longest land border between our countries makes us interdependent - Russia needs us no less than we need it. And interaction in integration projects has its own long-term path, which should not depend on momentary interests or moods.