Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday that a Moscow-led military detachment deployed to counter unrest in Kazakhstan would remain in the Central Asian country for only a "limited" period.
"A contingent of CSTO peacekeeping forces has been sent to Kazakhstan -- and I want to emphasise this -- for a limited time period," Putin said during a during a meeting of leaders from ex-Soviet countries, referring to a military pact among their nations.
Ex-Soviet Kazakhstan has been left reeling in the wake of unprecedented unrest that erupted earlier this month in the midst of protests over a fuel price hike in the west of the country.
Dozens are believed to have been left dead in the violence and the interior ministry said Monday that nearly 8,000 people had been detained by security forces.
Putin said the Collective Security Treaty Organisation had dispatched troops following the request of Kazakhstan's president because the country was facing the "aggression of international terrorism."
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said during the meeting that the CSTO had dispatched 2,030 troops and 250 pieces of hardware.
The Russian president added during the meeting that the deployment of troops from former Soviet countries had sent a signal that leaders there would not allow "revolutions" to erupt within ex-Soviet countries.
"The measures taken by the CSTO made it clear that we would not let anyone destabilise the situation at our home and implement so-called colour revolution scenarios," Putin added.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Vladimir Putin Says Taliban Russia's "Allies" In Fighting Terrorism Putin Reappoints Russian PM After Election Victory "Putin Won't Go Unpunished": Alexei Navalny's Wife On His "Death" Life On Earth Originates From One Ancestor, Older Than Previously Believed Send Reports Every 2 Hours: Centre To States On Kolkata Horror Protests For Debate Against Kamala Harris, Donald Trump Picks This Hindu American Gaza Records First Polio Case In 25 Years As UN Urges Vaccinations Safety "Deteriorating" At Ukraine Nuclear Plant After Strike: UN Watchdog Trump, Kamala Harris To Fight For Pennsylvania Votes With Rally, Bus Tour Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.