The President of Kazakhstan, Kasim-Jomart Tokayev, today assured that his country will protect Russians who are fleeing to Kazakhstan to avoid the current mobilization in Russia.

"In recent days, many people have been coming to us from Russia. Most are forced to leave because of the hopeless situation. We need to take care of them and make sure they are safe," said Tokaev, who is an ally of Moscow, but has distanced himself from the Kremlin since the beginning of the Russian offensive in Ukraine.

Kazakhstan's president simultaneously condemned the conflict in Ukraine again and called for respect for territorial integrity, just as Russia is organizing referendums on the annexation of four Ukrainian regions.

"The territorial integrity of the state should be inalienable, it is a key principle. A great war is being waged in our immediate neighborhood. We should remember that, thinking first of all about our security", said Tokaev.

The former Soviet republic in Central Asia is an ally of Russia and a member of the Economic and Customs Union with Russia, and also has good relations with the West and with China. Russia's offensive in Ukraine has raised fears among some in Kazakhstan that it too could become target of Russian ambitions, primarily because of the long border with Russia and the numerous Russian minority.