CSTO troops withdrawal from Kazakhstan started

“In accordance with the plan developed by the command of the collective peacekeeping forces of the CSTO and the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the transfer of socially significant objects protected by peacekeepers to the law enforcement agencies of the country has begun,” the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation indicated.

The Russian Aerospace Forces began to prepare equipment and materiel for loading into aircraft. The peacekeepers will also return to their deployment points shortly.

Earlier, the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev, said that the situation with the republic had stabilized and therefore the withdrawal of troops from the Collective Security Treaty Organization would begin on January 13.

The head of the republic also said that after the unrest in the country, the national security system will be reformed. The amendments will affect the composition of the National Guard, special forces, border and customs services. The authorities will pay special attention to strengthening the border with China and countering attempts to merge crime and religious extremism.