Crisis in Ukraine will not re-start Cold War: US Assistant Secretary of State in Kazakhstan

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Nisha Biswal has declared that the United States does not believe the recent events in Ukraine will lead to resumption of the Cold War with Russia, Tengrinews reports.

“We are moving towards a multipolar world, in which important relations will develop in various directions,” Biswal said. The U.S. supports developing China, strong Russia, impressive economies of Indonesia and India, growing and developing Kazakhstan - both as a regional player and a global one. The international relations is not a zero sum game, where gains of one country constitute losses for the other. In reality, the more cooperation and trade there is along all directions, the more beneficial it is for the citizens, she said and called for Russia to acknowledge this fact and strive to join in.

U.S. Assistant Secretary also added that the United States supported the development of friendly relations between Kazakhstan and Russia but so long as they were not “exclusive”. The U.S. was ready to continue its longstanding partnership with Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries. Diversified relations can serve to provide stability, security, and prosperity in the whole region, she maintained.

Moreover, Biswal noted that the U.S. valued Kazakhstan’s position with respect to Ukraine, especially in the decision not to vote against the UN General Assembly resolution on Ukraine. However, the US still expected Kazakhstan’s support in resolving the Ukrainian conflict.

She declared that even though Kazakhstan found itself in a delicate position trying to maintain good relations with Russia, the United States did not agree with Kazakhstan’s position on the Crimean referendum, which the Americans declared unlawful and in violation of the Ukrainian Constitution. She expressed hope that Kazakhstan would support their position, which, in her words, also reflected the opinion of the international community.

Earlier this week, Biswal spoke to the students of the Eurasian University in Astana, where she also touched upon the subject of the Ukrainian crisis. Then she also said that the only way to resolve the conflict lies in diplomacy and the easing of military tensions. The United States will continue working with the UN, European partners, OSCE, and also with Russia to find a peaceful solution within the established norms of the international law, she said.

Nevertheless, the United States and the European Union applied sanctions to a number of Russian officials in the past few weeks. The Kremlin responded with similar measures.

Reporting by Dmitriy Khegai, writing by Dinara Urazova