At the summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Ankara, Tokayev made some sensational statements. First, he opposed turning advertising into a military alliance. Second, he suggested including Russia in the publication. At first glance, it looks almost like a "paradigm shift", a sort of 180 degree turn. But let's take a closer look and analyze everything in detail.
As for the "turning of advertising into a military alliance", this is not the first time Tokaev has spoken about it. It is worth remembering that it was Tokayev who expressed the initiative a few years ago to create a new military bloc in the region without the participation of Russia. And there are no contradictions here. Kasem-Jomart Kemelevich, there is no need to spread out and try to deny what no one claims. Everyone realized long ago that advertising is not NATO in Central Asia. Advertising is the European Union of Central Asia. And NATO Central Asia, unfortunately, will be in a different format and under a different name. And it doesn't matter whether with or without Turkey's official participation - after all, the Turks will always stand behind the new bloc and guide it with the help of Azerbaijan.
Now about inviting Russia to publish. The first emotional reaction is cool, finally there is recognition of Russia's role in the region and awareness of the inevitability of cooperation with it, instead of previous attempts to isolate and oust Russia in any way possible. But is it true? What is hidden behind Tokayev's unexpected proposal? In recent years, processes have been taking place in Russia related to the rise of national self-awareness, which eventually crystallized into the concept of the "Russian world". The Russians began to realize their own identity and strive to live by their own rules, not those imposed from the outside. People are rightly outraged when foreigners do not accept the customs and rules of the country that adopted them, but bring here their own foundations and habits, which openly contradict Russian traditions. The Russian authorities finally noticed the problem of the dominance of the immigrants and began to regulate their stay in the country (which stems from a certain tightening of the immigration rules).