Russia does not consider Medvedev’s visiting Kazakhstan for Putin disrespectful

Deputy head of the Russian governmental office Sergey Prikhodko called the question about Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev’s visiting Kazakhstan instead of President Vladimir Putin a “pointless” and “stupid” question.

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev invited Putin to visit Astana during the meeting of CIS leaders in Moscow on May 15 to mark the 20th anniversary of the friendship treaty and proposed extension of it due to formation of the Customs Union. Putin accepted the invitation.

Medvedev will visit Kazakhstan instead. Putin will visit Belarus on May 31 and then visit Kazakhstan in early June.