Vladimir Putin humiliated by Kazakh president during diplomatic meeting and left twitching feet

Tokayev refused to look his Russian counterpart in the eye
Tokayev refused to look his Russian counterpart in the eye
Reuters
George McMillan

By George McMillan


Published: 29/11/2022

- 12:18

Updated: 14/02/2023

- 10:29

The Kazakh president was reelected earlier this month and traveled to the Russian capital to meet with Putin and hold talks

Vladimir Putin was left twitching his feet after a meeting with Kassym-Jomart Tokayev earlier this week.

The Kazakh president was reelected earlier this month and traveled to the Russian capital to meet with Putin and hold talks.


Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who has openly defied major ally Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, secured a second term in Sunday's snap election with 81.31% of the vote.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev address the participants of a session of the Russia-Kazakhstan Interregional Cooperation Forum via a video link in Moscow, Russia November 28, 2022. Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/Kremlin via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY.
The Moscow talks were awkward and Putin could be seen twitching his feet, leading to further speculation around reported health issues.
Reuters

Tokayev told Putin at a meeting during the summer that Kazakhstan would not recognise the pro-Russian separatist statelets in eastern Ukraine that Moscow later claimed to have annexed.

Now, during the two leaders’ meeting in Moscow, Tokayev refused to look his Russian counterpart in the eye, a sign that he clearly did not agree with the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine, according to the Mirror.

The Moscow talks were awkward and Putin could be seen twitching his feet, leading to further speculation around reported health issues.

After exchanging signatures to mark 30 years of the countries’ relations, Tokayev quickly passed the agreement to an aide.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev exchange documents during a signing ceremony in Moscow, Russia November 28, 2022. Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/Kremlin via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY.
During a handshake the pair briefly made eye contact with each other.
Reuters

During a handshake the pair briefly made eye contact with each other.

Later, the Kazakh president sent a warning to Putin and the future of Russia, he said: “"You need to look ahead, and it is for this purpose that I have come here.”

Putin however shared his optimism from the meeting: "Today’s visit is of a special significance, as this is the first [foreign trip] since Kassym-Jomart was re-elected the President of Kazakhstan."

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