FM: Ukraine has not targeted Kazakh facilities or commercial ships

Ukraine has not carried out strikes against Kazakh facilities or commercial vessels, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said in an interview with Kazakh outlet Ulysmedia, as Kyiv and Astana seek to prevent similar incidents from recurring.

“Ukraine does not strike Kazakh facilities or commercial vessels. At no time have any facilities in Kazakhstan been targets of Ukrainian strikes,” Sybiha said.

He said Kyiv and Astana were maintaining a pragmatic dialogue aimed at preventing further incidents involving Kazakh interests. At the same time, Sybiha said Ukraine considers retaliatory strikes against Russian port infrastructure legitimate following attacks on Ukrainian facilities.

Sybiha also praised Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s position on the war, describing him as a leader capable of playing a significant diplomatic role.

According to the Ukrainian foreign minister, the presidents of Ukraine and Kazakhstan discussed the possibility of Astana becoming involved in the peace process. This could include hosting a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Astana.

Sybiha said the United States remains a key participant in efforts to advance the peace process, while Kyiv expects its European allies to strengthen their involvement.

On security guarantees for Ukraine as an alternative to NATO membership, Sybiha said such guarantees should be legally binding and ratified by the parliaments of partner countries.

Among the possible mechanisms, he listed bilateral security guarantees from the United States, the deployment of allied forces in Ukraine, Ukraine’s membership in the European Union and the maintenance of a strong Ukrainian military.

By Tamilla Hasanova