Russia’s neighboring country, Kazakhstan, has suspended all arms exports for a year, its government has announced.
This comes amid the conflict in Ukraine and Western sanctions against Moscow.
The former Soviet republic – which also has active economic ties with Ukraine – has refused to take sides in the crisis, while calling for a peaceful solution.
The Kazakh government did not give a reason for the decision in its statement.
Kazakhstan produces a wide range of military equipment, including ships, armored vehicles and artillery, machine guns, grenades and defense equipment.
However, it is not clear whether these devices were being exported.
