Tokayev warns of far-reaching consequences of military conflicts

President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed concern over the broader consequences of modern armed conflicts, warning that their effects extend beyond combat zones and threaten global stability. He made the remarks during a meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Bishkek.

Economic and social damage

According to Tokayev, in an increasingly interconnected world, geopolitical tensions are no longer limited to military confrontations between the parties directly involved. The spillover effects of crises disrupt established trade and logistics chains, fuel instability in international commodity and financial markets, and undermine food and energy security in many countries.

«The fact that the consequences of armed conflicts are already extending beyond immediate combat zones, affecting international markets, undermining supply stability and eroding mutual trust is alarming. This is why it is so important to prevent further escalation of military risks and a new arms race,» he said.

Erosion of the international security architecture

The president also warned that declining trust among world powers is contributing to the erosion of key international security institutions. Growing divisions make it more difficult to reach diplomatic solutions even in crises that could potentially be resolved through negotiation.

As a preventive measure, Tokayev proposed that SCO members develop common approaches to preventing military escalation and use multilateral platforms to curb a renewed arms race and promote arms control.