Kazakhstan says it won't recognize Russian pseudo-referendums in Ukraine

Kazakhstan will not recognize the possible annexation of Ukrainian territories captured by Russia through sham referendums held there.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan said this on Monday, Ukrinform reports, citing Reuters.

"As for the holding of referendums ... Kazakhstan proceeds from the principles of territorial integrity of states, their sovereign equivalence and peaceful coexistence," ministry spokesman Aibek Smadiyarov said.

He also reconfirmed the commitment of the Kazakh authorities to the previously voiced position of the country's president, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, on the need to settle the Russian-Ukrainian conflict in accordance with the UN Charter.

"We reconfirm our readiness to provide all possible assistance to the establishment of a political dialogue. At the same time, our country believes that maintaining stability at either regional or global level is the most important goal," Smadiyarov said.

As reported, the leaders of the "LPR/DPR" and collaborators in the Russian-seized territories on September 20 announced "referenda on joining Russia" and scheduled them for September 23-27.

The leaders of Western countries stated that Russian sham referendums in Ukraine would be illegitimate.

A survey conducted by Active Group in August 2022 shows that the vast majority of respondents in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine are sure that their region should be an integral part of Ukraine and their well-being and security have significantly deteriorated since the occupation.

In particular, almost 73% of respondents consider Russia's territorial claims on their region to be completely unfounded.