According to Ukrinform, the Kazakh leader made the proposal during a bilateral meeting with Putin on the sidelines of the 22nd Forum of Interregional Cooperation between Kazakhstan and Russia in Omsk, as reported by Novaya Gazeta Europe.

"Perhaps this conflict should now be frozen and we should return to the Istanbul Formula 2.0. Significant progress was achieved there. Of course, under guarantees from major powers, including Russia. And then move toward the long-awaited peace," Tokayev said.

According to the Kazakh President, he has received "many signals from Europe and the United States regarding the conflict between Russia and Ukraine" and decided to voice this position because "people knew" about his meeting with Putin and had "asked him to convey" these proposals.

Tokayev added that "the nature of this conflict is unclear to many" and expressed regret over the people being killed in the war.

"All of this must be stopped. Because what is happening, in my view, benefits and pleases the adversaries of both Russia and the Ukrainian state," Tokayev said, adding that Kazakhstan has "always treated Ukraine with respect" while considering and continuing to consider Russia a major power.

It was reported that Putin responded by promising to "inform Tokayev about developments regarding the Ukrainian direction."

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As previously reported by Ukrinform, Kazakhstan's oil production has declined following the shutdown of a Russian Black Sea terminal that serves as a key export route for Kazakh oil and was recently targeted by Ukrainian drones.