Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry has defended its decision to reject the nomination by Kyiv of Serhiy Hayday, ex-chief of the military administration of Ukraine's Luhansk region, parts of which are under Russian-backed separatists' control, to the post of Ukraine’s ambassador to Kazakhstan. Ministry spokesman Aibek Smadiyarov said on May 23 that Astana's decision was not "an unfriendly move," adding that, according to the Vienna Convention, his country does not have to explain such a decision. The 47-year-old Hayday led Ukraine's Luhansk region from October 2019 to March 2023. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Kazakh Service, click here.
Kazakh Foreign Ministry Defends Rejection Of Hayday's Nomination To Ukrainian Ambassador's Post
Serhiy Hayday led Ukraine's Luhansk region from October 2019 to March 2023. (file photo)