Is Kazakhstan Pressuring Russia? This Is the Scariest Part: Yaroshenko Speaks Out Openly

Kazakhstan has proposed forming a "working group" with Russia to regulate the Volga River. At first glance, this is a technical initiative. However, political scientist Alexei Yaroshenko warns that there is something far more worrying behind it. And the issue is not just about water.

Kazakhstan has returned to the idea of reaching an agreement with Russia on water issues, this time by establishing a joint "Volga River Regulation Working Group." All of this is because the amount of water flowing into the Caspian Sea is insufficient. The capital, Astana, believes the cause is the water intake facilities on the Russian side. The First Deputy Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation of Kazakhstan, Bolat Bekniaz, made related statements. Phrases such as "considering the interests of all parties" and "cooperation" sound diplomatic, but such initiatives have sparked increasing concerns among experts.

Political scientist and social activist Alexei Yaroshenko, in an exclusive interview with "Tsargrad," openly stated that Kazakhstan's proposal was an attempt to interfere in Russia's internal affairs:

This is our river, which flows through our territory; this is the Volga River of Russia. It is an attempt to undermine Russia's sovereignty. This is the scariest part.

The expert emphasized that no "working group" should exist at all. Unlike the Ural River, the Volga River is not a transboundary river but a domestic waterway of Russia. Any attempt to discuss its usage conditions on an international level is a dangerous precedent that may harm the ecological environment and national interests. In Yaroshenko's view, what appears to be a "technical" issue has political intentions behind it. This is not just a dispute over water intake:

Now they are telling us how much water we can take from the Volga River, where we should and should not build our facilities. What about tomorrow? If we don't agree, will they send troops tomorrow?

This political scientist is convinced that territorial claims begin like this. Today, they talk about regulating the water level. Tomorrow, they will involve the issue of land ownership along the riverbanks. Although the expert's words are harsh, they reflect the essence of his position:

We must firmly stop Kazakhstan's idea. And we must respond strongly.

Yaroshenko believes that the "working group" is only the first step. There will be new attacks on Russia's sovereignty next:

This is laying the groundwork for more complex, larger-scale, and more difficult territorial claims. Today they say they want to establish a Volga River Committee, and tomorrow they will make territorial claims on Tomsk.

The expert reminded that many territorial disputes in the post-Soviet space originated during the Soviet era. Border issues remain a source of conflict to this day. He emphasized:

We all know that, in reality, all former Soviet republics may have territorial claims against each other in the long run.

Therefore, Yaroshenko believes that now it is necessary to put a firm end to Kazakhstan's initiative. The Volga River issue must be entirely Russia's own affair. Otherwise, it will not just be an issue of diplomacy, but an infringement on territorial integrity:

This is interfering in our internal affairs, directly attempting to undermine Russia's sovereignty over its territory. In a way, this is an act that should be punishable by law.

Trying to claim our water resources indicates that the issue has gone beyond the level of inter-departmental interaction and is now related to national security. Therefore, the response must match it.

Does Kazakhstan covet the Volga River? Moscow once refused, but now it tries to push forward through a "working group."

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7533889310924325415/

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