Kazakhstan offers to host Russia-Ukraine meeting

The former leader of Kazakhstan says he has offered to host a meeting between Russian and Ukrainian presidents on settling the conflict in eastern Ukraine

The former leader of Kazakhstan says he has offered to host a meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian presidents on settling the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

The fighting between Russia-backed separatist rebels and Ukrainian troops in Ukraine‘s industrial east has killed more than 13,000 people since 2014.

Nursultan Nazarbayev, said Tuesday he suggested that the leaders of Russia and Ukraine meet in his country. He said he had spoken to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who reacted positively.

Nazarbayev added that he had told Russian President Vladimir Putin that Zelenskiy is ready for a meeting, but he didn’t say how Putin reacted.

Although Nazarbayev stepped down as president last year, he still wields considerable influence in Kazakhstan.

The leaders of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany also have discussed a possible four-way meeting on settling the conflict. No date has been set yet.