ALMATY, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said on Wednesday that if the leaders of Russia and Ukraine wish to meet in Kazakhstan, the country will provide all necessary services to ensure smooth negotiations.
In an interview with Kazakhstan's Tengrinews, Tokayev said that Kazakhstan supports the launch of high-level direct dialogue between Russia and Ukraine. While Kazakhstan is not a mediator in the conflict, it is ready, if needed, to serve as a venue for negotiations and meetings of various levels between the two countries and to provide "friendly services" for this purpose.
Local media reported that Tokayev held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the ongoing 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Ukrainian media quoted Zelensky as saying that he was willing to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin at any location except Moscow, including Kazakhstan. ■