After the outbreak of the Russian and Ukraine War, the world saw that large powers did not really seek peace for small and medium -sized countries, but to maximize their own interests. Small countries were more like a place where the great country was wrestling. UkraineIt is a typical example that makes many small and medium -sized countries very disappointed and disturbed.
Recently, Kazakhstan President Toccyev said in Singapore that the current geopolitical situation in the world is turbulent, and large powers have failed to maintain peace. Small and medium -sized countries must rise, and more actively promote multilateralism and peaceful development.He said: "Unfortunately, the great power, especially the member states of the United Nations Security Council, failed to save peace and security ... This is why I firmly believe that the middle power, such as Kazakhstan and Singapore, etc.Make more action safely. "
Although Kazakhstan is far from Singapore, there are actually many similarities between the geopolitical politics of the two countries.The most important point is to be sandwiched between the great powers and seek survival and development in the gaps.
Kazakhstan is the world's largest inland country with an area of 2.72 million square kilometers and ninth in the world, but it is still much smaller than Russia next to Russia; the population is 20 million, even as it is not as good as the Xinjiang region near China (23 million).
Kazakhstan is the only country in the five Central Asia countries that borders Russia, and the 7500 kilometers of boundary lines are long, second only to the boundaries between the United States and Canada, and are the world's second -length land boundary.More importantly, there are many Russians (15.4%of the total population of Harbin) in Kazakhstan, and most Russians live in northern Kazakhstan near Russia.
In order to control Kazakhstan, the Soviet Union adopted the method of penetration and showing good. It was also commonly known as "mixing water" and "sand blending".Assimilation and the five states that belong to the Soviet Union of the Soviet Union were divided into Kazakhstan.But in 1991, the Soviet Union suddenly disintegrated, and the franchisees were independent.Kazakhstan is no exception, and even the Soviet Union has divided the five states to form an independent country.
It is difficult to say that these Russians in Kazakhstan have wanted to "return" Russia's thoughts, or will Russia re -applied it and hold another "national referendum" to make large Russian settlement regain Russia.This is not necessarily impossible to follow the precedent of Ukraine and the Georgia South Oussean ladder and Abuhaz.Besides, the Russian settlement area of Kazakhstan is much larger than the previous two. Russia has always felt very disadvantaged in recent years. I regret that such a large area of land should not be assigned to Kazakhstan, but they can't say it.The Kazakhstan government is also very clear about this, and it is very afraid of it, and it is also to beware of Russia.So far, Russia and Kazakhstan have held a total of 131 meetings. The two parties have divided 70%of the length of the border line, but 30%of the length still failed to reach a consensus.
This is quite similar to Singapore, which is sandwiched between the great powers, so Kazakhstan and Singapore have the meaning of being linked to the same life and cherishment.Both sides can appreciate and understand each other's distress.As Toccyev said: "As a newly rising medium -sized country, Kazakhstan and Singapore cannot agree with polarization and division, because the risk is too great. If we do not prevent control, we will enter the new Cold War in the cold war."
This Singapore leader also agrees.Zhang Zhixian, the state -funded government of Singapore, said: "Although Kazakhstan and Singapore are located in different regions, the common interests of the Asian and Central Asian countries."
Former Prime Minister and current state -owned government -funded Li Xianlong also said that although Singapore and Kazakhstan have a long geographical distance, they have common interests, including in promoting interconnection and supply chain toughness.
Based on these common points, in recent years, Kazakhstan has also implemented diversified diplomacy like Singapore. It does not stand between China, the United States and Russia, and maintain a certain distance between major countries.
For the Russian and Ukraine War, Russia sent troops to attack Ukraine. One of the slogans was "recovering the territory of Russia", which made Kazakhstan deeply feel uneasy, for fear that he would become the next Ukraine.Kazakhstan refused to send troops to participate in Putin's aggression against Ukraine, and Tocaev publicly opposed and rejected the merger of Wudong in Russia.
Shortly after the outbreak of the Russian and Ukraine War, Russia directly cut off the energy pipeline of Kazakhstan to Europe, which made Kazakhstan very angry.In September last year, Takayev said at a press conference held after a talks with German Prime Minister Tsugs that Kazakhstan would continue to impose sanctions on Russia.This is also very similar to the statement issued by the Singaporean government when the outbreak of the Russian and Ukraine War: "In all countries, regardless of size, their sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity must be respected.It is the foundation of Singapore's small country. Russia's invasion of Ukraine violates the UN Charter and is a significant and serious violation of international law.This is why Singapore strongly condemn Russia for no reason for Ukraine.
In fact, not just Kazakhstan is trying to leave Russia's control, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan are alienated to Russia.Russia has always regarded the Soviet franchisees as its own sphere of influence. It is not tolerant of others. Ukraine and Georgia are the precedents. Kazakhstan is worried that he will become the next Ukraine, which is not unreasonable.
After the outbreak of the Russian and Ukraine War, the whole world saw that large powers did not really seek peace for small and medium -sized powers, but to maximize their own interests and seek their own interests.Promoting, but "Elephant Fighting and Cao Di suffering", Ukraine is a typical example, which makes many small and medium -sized countries very disappointed and disturbed.Therefore, Takayev emphasized that small and medium -sized countries should be united in Singapore, so as not to be isolation and helplessness when they are really bullying and infringement, no one speaks; these are very necessary and realistic, and also in line with the common national interests of the two countries.
The author is Hong Kong journalist