Ukraine backs Kazakh call to 'freeze' war with Russia

Ukraine endorses freeze proposal

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on Sunday welcomed Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's call to "freeze" the ongoing war with Russia, praising the initiative as a realistic pathway to peace as diplomatic efforts remain stalled. Writing on the social media platform X, Sybiha expressed appreciation for Tokayev's direct intervention with Russian President Vladimir Putin during their meeting in the Siberian city of Omsk.

"We appreciate President @TokayevKZ telling Putin it is time to stop the war. A realistic, timely, and wise message," Sybiha wrote. He noted that Kyiv has proposed halting combat along current front lines to enable diplomatic negotiations, adding that the Kremlin "continues to reject this clear path to peace."

Astana revives 'Istanbul Formula'

Tokayev floated the freeze proposal during Saturday's talks with Putin, suggesting a return to earlier diplomatic frameworks that yielded partial agreements before collapsing. "Perhaps this conflict should be frozen, and we should return to the 'Istanbul Formula 2.0,' since significant results were achieved there. Then, naturally, under guarantees from the major powers, including Russia, we can move toward the long-awaited peace," the Kazakh leader said.

Moscow insists on Kyiv concessions

The proposal faced immediate rejection from Moscow, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stating that freezing hostilities remains impossible given Ukraine's current position. Peskov reiterated Russia's conditions for ending the war, stating that hostilities could cease within hours if Ukrainian forces withdraw from the Donbas region and Kyiv formally abandons its aspirations to join NATO.

Sybiha pointed to the Kremlin's swift dismissal as evidence of Moscow's unwillingness to engage with peace initiatives. "The bottom line: Moscow must feel more pressure before it accepts realistic peace proposals," he said. The Ukrainian minister emphasized that increased international pressure remains necessary to compel Russia to accept viable diplomatic solutions as fighting continues along the extended front lines.