NUR-SULTAN:
Kazakhstan, a neighbour and ally of
Russia, has suspended all arms exports for a year, its government said on Saturday, amid conflict in
Ukraine and Western sanctions against
Moscow.
The former Soviet republic - which also has active economic ties with Kyiv - has avoided taking sides in the Ukrainian crisis while calling for its peaceful resolution.
The Kazakh government did not give a reason in Saturday's statement for the decision to halt arms exports.
Kazakhstan produces a wide range of military equipment, including boats, armoured and artillery vehicles, machine guns, night visors, grenades, torpedoes and protective gear. The government has not said these items were being exported.