Putin says he supports Nazarbayev’s candidacy in presidential elections

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin said on Friday in Astana that he supports the candidacy of incumbent Kazakhstani President Nursultan Nazarbayev in upcoming presidential elections.

Kazakhstani vote is due to be held on April 26. Vladimir Putin, who arrived in Astana today after the previously set meeting was suspended, wished Nazarbayev good luck in the election campaign, akipress reports.

"For all those who love Kazakhstan, for those who value its stable, gradual and very significant development, it is, of course, important for everyone to support the president of Kazakhstan," Putin told journalists, reports TASS.

Putin noted that Nazarbayev is "undoubtedly the recognized leader of his country." The Kazakhstani president is "very authoritative not only in Kazakhstan, but in the whole world," Putin added.

Today, presidents of Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus meet up in Astana for talks about their relations and the Eurasian Economic Union, as well as current issues of international agenda.