MOSCOW, January 6/ Sputnik Radio. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs regards what is happening in Kazakhstan as an externally inspired attempt to undermine the security and integrity of the Central Asian state.
It is noted that Russia will continue consultations with Kazakhstan and other CSTO allies to analyze and develop further effective steps that will ensure the safety of civilians.
Protest actions in Kazakhstan began on January 2. Initially, residents of the cities of Zhanaozen and Aktau came out to rallies against a twofold increase in prices for liquefied gas.
However, soon clashes with the police and attempts to seize authorities began to occur in other cities of the republic.
On the fourth of January, the authorities ordered to introduce state regulation of prices for liquefied gas and gasoline for six months and returned prices to the previous level, but the protesters did not calm down, and by the evening looters became more active.
On January 5, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev dissolved the government and announced that he was becoming the head of the Security Council instead of the first president of the republic, Nursultan Nazarbayev. A state of emergency has been imposed on the entire territory of the republic.
The Kazakh authorities have asked for help from other CSTO members to neutralize the "terrorist threat". The Organization has sent a collective peacekeeping force to the Republic.
Earlier, Sputnik radio reported that Belarus called what is happening in Kazakhstan an attempt to forcibly change power.
