Putin demands Kazakhstan to supply arms to Russia to invade Ukraine  - General Mussayev

He said this on the Espreso TV channel.

"It is very important for Putin to bring Kazakhstan and all of Central Asia into his sphere of influence. He feels that this influence has been weakening over the period of this almost two-year war, and very much so. At the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine, Russia was even pressuring to supply some types of weapons, but today this is no longer the case. They are satisfied with grey imports through Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and other former Soviet republics. But drawing Kazakhstan more into its orbit is a very important task for Russia today," Mussayev emphasised.

The general noted that by visiting Kazakhstan, Putin wanted to demonstrate that he was not afraid of the arrest of the Hague Tribunal.

"I believe that all the external attributes on the part of Kazakhstan will be preserved and even presented to a greater extent, as is customary in Asian countries. For example, Putin was personally met at the airport by Tokayev, which is a serious diplomatic gesture of full goodwill towards Russia and its leader. Everyone knows that Putin faces arrest by the Hague Tribunal. And this is the moment Russia, Putin personally, is trying to use: I'm free, I'm being met like this. And I'm sure that, as far as protocols are concerned, Russia insisted that Putin be met personally by Tokayev. It was very important for him today," he added.

• On 5 November, it became known that Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan plan to sign a 15-year gas supply and transit cooperation agreement by mid-2024. 
• On 9 November, Vladimir Putin arrived on a visit to Kazakhstan and met with Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.