U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns is in Kazakhstan for meetings with President Nursultan Nazarbaev and other officials.
On May 8, Burns and Nazarbaev discussed Kazakhstan's bid to join the World Trade Organization. They also talked about the situations in Afghanistan and Ukraine.
Concerning Ukraine, Burns said the United States is not interested in any confrontation with Russia but he added "so long as Russia continues down its current dangerous and irresponsible path we will continue to work with our international partners to apply steady increasing counterpressure."
Nazarbaev recalled he had met with U.S. President Barack Obama in March at The Hague and discussed the "contemporary global situation."
Burns arrived in Kazakhstan after visiting Uzbekistan for talks with officials there.
On May 8, Burns and Nazarbaev discussed Kazakhstan's bid to join the World Trade Organization. They also talked about the situations in Afghanistan and Ukraine.
Concerning Ukraine, Burns said the United States is not interested in any confrontation with Russia but he added "so long as Russia continues down its current dangerous and irresponsible path we will continue to work with our international partners to apply steady increasing counterpressure."
Nazarbaev recalled he had met with U.S. President Barack Obama in March at The Hague and discussed the "contemporary global situation."
Burns arrived in Kazakhstan after visiting Uzbekistan for talks with officials there.
