Moldova (bbabo.net) - On January 11, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced that on January 13, a phased withdrawal of the forces of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), which were at his request, entered the republic just a few days ago, would begin.

Is it possible that the situation in Kazakhstan has calmed down so quickly that the presence of professional military personnel from 5 CSTO member countries is no longer required?

For a comment, kp.ru turned to the head of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots Leonid Kalashnikov, who visited Kazakhstan at the end of last year.

- Leonid Ivanovich - isn't the leadership of the neighboring republic in too much of a hurry to withdraw the peacekeepers who now control a number of vital facilities in Kazakhstan - at the request of its own authorities?

- I don’t think the decision was made “early”. I have been to all the CIS countries, where hot situations arose. And in Armenia, and in Belarus, and in Kyrgyzstan. Over the years. By the way, all these countries are members of the CSTO. And when I was asked at the beginning of January - how long would the introduction of the peacekeeping forces be, I personally believed that they would be in the republic only until the state of emergency introduced by the president of the country ended.

- It turns out that you are not mistaken?

- Yes. Even such a short time was enough to normalize the situation. The very fact of the introduction of well-trained units from allied countries in organization served to the fact that those who stood behind the rioters and pogromists behind a possible coup received a signal, a clear sign that their plans would not go so easily. And the power itself will not fall into their hands. The introduction of the CSTO forces made it clear: the current government will not stop only at suppressing robberies, looting and violence.

- Will not stop for what?

- She was obliged to normalize the situation in general as soon as possible - and this was important for all CSTO countries.

- Why?

- Because what was happening in Kazakhstan was no longer a peaceful protest, but an armed rebellion. With obvious terrorist manifestations. Specifically, for Russia, this is a disturbance of tranquility along more than 7 thousand kilometers of the land border. And no one will allow you to open it and make it easily permeable. Including for terrorist groups.

- Much has been said about the legality of the introduction of the CSTO forces ...

- For those who say that only “external” military-political circumstances could allow the introduction of peacekeepers, I recommend reading the CSTO Charter. In 7 and 8 articles, everything is clearly explained. Including, about terrorist threats to the state system of any of the countries of the Organization.

- But these articles were practically not applied before?

- Yes, this is rarely done. But the danger was too great for everyone. It is precisely understanding that this can serve as a detonator for hazardous processes. And many would have sat and rubbed their hands.

- Who?

- Special services of some countries. They arranged for us, for example, what happened in Ukraine.

- Will the units of Russian paratroopers from the peacekeeping contingent remain guarding Baikonur and our missions in Kazakhstan?

- It's too early to talk about it. Exactly all the CSTO troops that were introduced under this order - they will be returned to their countries in a short time. The protection of the objects you named was carried out by other forces and methods. If Moscow deems it necessary to change something in the security system, it is not at all necessary to use paratroopers-peacekeepers for this.

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