Russian President Vladimir Putin. Archival photoMOSCOW, Feb. 10 Russian President Vladimir Putin, in talks with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, said that Kazakhstan would have to make a lot of efforts to restore what was lost during the January events, but the country is standing on its own two feet under the leadership of the current government. «I know that a lot of efforts will now have to be made in order to restore everything that was lost during these events. But Kazakhstan nevertheless stands confidently and firmly on its feet thanks to your efforts, your leadership, and is developing actively» Putin said to Tokayev. In early January, mass protests took place in Kazakhstan. In the first days of 2022, residents of the cities of Zhanaozen and Aktau in the west of the country opposed the doubling of 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. The authorities declared a state of emergency throughout the country until January 19 and carried out a counter-terrorism operation. According to the UN, during the protests in Kazakhstan, about 1,000 people were injured. According to the country's Prosecutor General's Office, 4,578 people were injured as a result of the riots, 225 people were killed, including 19 security officials. strategic partnership
