The Russian dictator Vladimir Putin stated during his visit to Astana that Kazakhstan is a "Russian-speaking country." Putin and his delegation were surprised when President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev began speaking in his native language during the briefing,

Russian president to meet Kazakh counterpart, participate in meeting of Moscow-led military alliance, says Kremlin - Anadolu Ajansı

Ukraine's flag - with its horizontal bands of blue and yellow - briefly appeared late on Wednesday instead of the Russian white, blue and red tricolor on a screen located on one of Astana's main thoroughfares.