Ukraine in its recent move has removed its ambassador to Kazakhstan in Central Asia. The following information has been revealed via a decree published on the presidential website, after comments he made about Russia spurred condemnation from Russia.
The Foreign Ministry of Russia had urged Kazakhstan to expel Petro Vrublevsky following which he gave an interview in which he made remarks about “killing” Russians.
He later felt apologized for the remarks.
Astana had stated that it acknowledged the “unacceptability” of Vrublevsky’s statement to Kyiv & an agreement had been reached for his recall.
The decree which has been published by Ukraine’s presidency on evening of Tuesday did not specify why the ambassador was cleared of his duties & did not appoint a replacement.
Meanwhile in October, Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry summoned Russia’s ambassador for a “serious talk” after Moscow demanded Kazakhstan expel the Ukrainian ambassador.
Relations between Russia & Kazakhstan have been strained since the launch of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with the Central Asian nation seeking to balance its relations with the West and those with its ally Moscow.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has publicly disagreed with President of Russia, Vladimir Putin over Ukraine, and has also assured the thousands of Russians fleeing to Kazakhstan since the announcement of Moscow’s partial mobilization that they will not be repatriated for military service.