Kazakhstan Says Attempted Coup Foiled, Putin Says Presence is Temporary

With the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) having sent 2,030 troops to Kazakhstan, the nation’s president has declared victory over protests which he presented as an attempted coup.

At an online meeting, President Tokayev said order has been restored, and that the large-scale operation, and Russian-led deployment, would soon end. No date has been set for the troops to leave, but Russian President Vladimir Putin similarly said they were there for a “limited period of time” and assuming calm remains, it likely won’t be long.

As far as the international crackdown is going, the Kazakh troops are facing an embarrassment over media coverage, with local news outlet Novosti Kazakhstana having taken photos of the troops in Almaty wearing UN helmets. This is not a UN operation, and they are saying the troops aren’t authorized to wear such helmets during these operations.

The US warned Kazakhstan against inviting the Russians in. China has since said they oppose “external forces,” but offered to help provide the Kazakhs with security support.