KYIV, 10 Jan The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry condemned the violence during the riots in Kazakhstan and expressed condolences in connection with the death of citizens of this country, according to the first official statement of the Ukrainian authorities on the situation in the republic, published on the agency's website. «The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is closely following the development of the situation in the Republic of Kazakhstan. We condemn the violence that broke out in a number of Kazakhstani cities and led to numerous victims. We express our condolences for the death of Kazakhstanis, with whom the Ukrainians have long-standing ties of friendship and mutual respect. At this critical time, it is extremely important for the people of Kazakhstan to take maximum measures to de-escalate the situation and prevent further violence, guarantee respect for human rights, ensure the restoration of critical infrastructure and communication systems, «the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday. 
The United States demanded an explanation from Kazakhstan for seeking help from the CSTO Mass protests in Kazakhstan began in the first days of 2022 — residents of the cities of Zhanaozen and Aktau in the west of the country opposed a twofold increase in prices for liquefied gas. Later, the protests spread to other cities, including Alma-Ata, the old capital and the largest city of the republic: looting began there, militants attacked state institutions, took away weapons. In response, the authorities declared a state of emergency across the country until January 19 and launched a counter-terrorism operation. According to the UN, about 1,000 people were injured during the protests in Kazakhstan. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the republic, 17 Kazakhstani security officials were killed, more than 1.3 thousand were injured. On the morning of January 5, Kazakh President Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev dismissed the government and headed the Security Council. At the first meeting of the Security Council under his leadership, Tokayev described the situation in Kazakhstan as undermining the integrity of the state and said that he had asked the CSTO for help «in overcoming the terrorist threat.» The CSTO Collective Security Council decided to send collective peacekeeping forces to Kazakhstan to normalize the situation in the country. On January 7, Tokayev announced that terrorists, including those who arrived from abroad, continued to resist, and promised to destroy those who did not lay down their arms. In addition, the President noted that all the demands of citizens, expressed in peaceful forms, were heard. 
The European Union condemned acts of violence and vandalism in Kazakhstan
