Kazakhstan is considering banning Russian actor and TV anchor Tigran Keosayan after making shocking remarks this week. During a broadcast on his own YouTube channel, the 56-year-old came with a tirade towards the country, which was previously part of the Soviet Union.
The reason is that Kazakhstan has distanced itself from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, reports the news agency AFP.
Kazakhs, brothers. What happens to ingratitude? Take a good look at Ukraine, and think seriously about it. If you think that you can continue to be such a cunning asshole without any consequences, then you are taking the plunge. The train is running now. You can still reach the last carriage, Keosayan said.
BOMBS SECURITY DEPARTMENT: Masked men bomb Ministry of Security in Moldova, Monday, April 25, 2022. Video: First Pridnestrovian. Reporter: Vegard Krüger sea view
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The cup overflowed
Kazakhstan has large parts of its border with Russia, and large parts of the population are also ethnically Russian. Nevertheless, they have remained neutral so far during the war.
At the same time, Kazakhstan has toned down its marking of the Soviet victory over Germany during World War II – a mark that Vladimir Putin holds high. One of the choices that should have made the cup overflow for Keosayan was the country’s choice not to hold the annual military parade on 9 May.
In a statement on Wednesday night, Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tleuberdi said the statements were like poison for the good neighborliness between his country and Russia.
“I think this will lead to him ending up on the list of people who are banned from crossing our border,” said the Foreign Minister.
Keosayan, who is married to Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of Russian RT and a big Putin supporter, has so far not commented on the foreign minister’s reaction.
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Surprising grip
Russian nationalists have long believed that northern Kazakhstan belongs to Russia, which has created fear in the country. Their lack of support for Russia when the war started also came as a surprise to many.
On March 29, Tokayev’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Timur Suleimenov, stated Euractiv that the country does not recognize the “situations” in the Donbas and Crimea. In the interview, he also made it clear that Kazakhstan will not be used by Russia to circumvent Western sanctions.
Despite Kazakhstan’s position in connection with the invasion, the situation has led to situations that indicate that the country is in a demanding situation. Activists said in March, among other things, that they were not allowed to hold a demonstration against Russia’s war in Ukraine.
