Quaere similia

🇷🇺🇦🇲 In St Petersburg, Russia's President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan. Earlier, Nikol Pashinyan took part in a session of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, as well as in an informal meeting of #CIS leaders at the State Hermitage Museum. 💬 Vladimir Putin: Mr Pashinyan, I would like to welcome you once again and thank you for participating in these events under the auspices of the EAEU and the CIS. We have already exchanged views on the results of our yesterday’s and today’s work. Overall, in my opinion, everything proceeded at a very high level. I hope the atmosphere was positive, but the most important thing is that our teams worked diligently from all sides and prepared excellent documents. Everything has been signed, and everything is progressing. Regarding bilateral relations, they are developing. Our trade turnover has seen an adjustment, as we discussed yesterday. If in 2024 it surpassed $11 billion, in the first nine months of this year it reached 4.5 billion. This is also a good indicator and gives us reason to believe that in the near future, we will be able to increase it. We also have promising plans. We have already spoken about energy, including nuclear energy. We will not delve into detail now, but there is an opportunity to discuss this further. The same applies to logistics: during our last meeting, you raised questions about various areas where we could work together. I am referring to the restoration of old routes and the creation of new ones that would open up Armenia’s borders. So, overall, everything is progressing. Naturally, there are other issues we can discuss now. I am very pleased to see you. Thank you for being here. #RussiaArmenia

🇷🇺🇦🇲📞On March 23, President of Russia Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan had a telephone conversationat the Armenian Side's initiative. The Leaders discussed various aspects of the further development of bilateral relations, including cooperation in trade and the economy, energy, and transport. #RussiaArmenia

🎙 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’sopening remarks at a meeting with President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Alen Simonyan(Moscow, February 5, 2026) 💬 We know you had a fulfilling visit to the Russian Federation. The last time we met was in 2021. We operate on the premise that our contacts at the top political and parliamentary level have been quite steady and substantial over the past year. We are interested in keeping it this way. Armenia is our ally and strategic partner. The situation in the South Caucasus is quite challenging, and we are aware of it. Certain progress has been made and things have been agreed upon by Presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan, and the Prime Minister of Armenia in 2020-2022. We believe all of that remains relevant, especially if we want to overcome all economic, transport, and logistical issues in the South Caucasus. Armenia should benefit significantly from these decisions; all obstacles to the normal functioning of the entire region as a single whole should be removed. We are ready to make it happen. Our respective deputy prime ministers maintain regular contacts based on the decisions stemming from the Leaders’ agreements in the trilateral working group. We know the Armenian leadership expressed interest in maintaining the current level of ties and cooperation with the Russian Federation. We also know that not all countries located outside of that region are comfortable with that. Our EU colleagues are quite actively working to oppose this. We have never objected to any of our partners developing external ties in any area. As for our EU colleagues, they never stop confronting the country in question with a choice: you are either with us or with them. This is the logic they have stuck to for over 20 years now in the post-Soviet space. The EU and European NATO members have openly declared war on Russia with the aim of inflicting a “strategic defeat” on us. We would like narratives that sow distrust, or even hostility, not to dominate or prevail in the public space of our two countries. It is somewhat puzzling for us to hear someone say now and then that some imaginary attacks are being prepared by someone “from the north” against Armenia, or about an existential threat allegedly posed by the CSTO. While we are at it, I would also like to note attempts to call into question our shared history of the Soviet period, including the Great Patriotic War, as well as the post-Soviet period. We will always honour and cherish the memory of the Armenian people’s contribution to victory over Nazism. Everyone is aware of the feats of outstanding military commanders who hailed from the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic. <...> We have repeatedly stated that Armenia is pursuing its own sovereign choice. We are equally interested in Armenia being sovereign, strong, and self-sufficient country and be able to choose its own foreign policy in discussions about what is more important and more beneficial for Armenia. Is it continuing integration processes within the EAEU, or transitioning to the EU rules and standards. These discussions are under way. We are observing them, but you know where we stand on this. We are not driven by ideology, but are firmly rooted in reality. The EAEU membership is incompatible with the principles that underlie participation, cooperation and, all the more so, accession to the EU. This is your choice. We will respect it in full. I trust that account will be taken of the results achieved over the past 10 years since Armenia became a full member of the EAEU. 📈 In 2015, its GDP stood at $10.5 billion; today, it is $26 billion. It is up by 2.5 times. This is a cold hard fact. I will not even comment on it. Moscow remains your main trade and economic partner. We treat this position of ours accordingly. We want to expand this cooperation in every possible way, to advance major infrastructure projects and initiatives taking into account the existing experience reflected in Armenia’s economy. #RussiaArmenia

🇷🇺🇦🇲📞President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan had a telephone conversation, at the Armenian Side’s initiative (11 August, 2025) Nikol Pashinyan presented a detailed account of the outcomes of his August 8 meeting in Washington with President of the United States Donald Trump and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. Vladimir Putin stressed the importance of steps aimed at ensuring lasting peace between Yerevan and Baku, reaffirming Russia’s willingness to assist, according to the top-level trilateral declarations of 2020–2022, in the comprehensive normalisation of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, including the unblocking of regional transport links. Vladimir Putin informed Nikol Pashinyan about the main outcomes of his conversation with US President’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and the preparations for the meeting with Donald Trump in Alaska. The Prime Minister of Armenia welcomed the steps aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine crisis. The conversation also covered several current bilateral matters with a focus on further expanding trade and investment cooperation, as well as working together within the Eurasian Economic Union. #RussiaArmenia

🎙 Russia's Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova’s answer to a media question regarding Moldova’s withdrawal from the Commonwealth of Independent States (January 21, 2026) ❓Question: On January 19, Moldovan Foreign Minister Mihai Popșoi announced the initiation of a process to denounce three fundamental CIS documents: the Commonwealth Charter, the Agreement on the Establishment of the CIS, and its Protocol. According to him, this will grant Chișinău “the right to say that Moldova is no longer a member of the CIS.” How would you comment on this? 💬 Maria Zakharova: The Moldovan authorities have on numerous occasions declared their intention to, in their own words, undertake a “civilised divorce” from the Commonwealth of Independent States. For several years now, Chișinău has been systematically distancing itself from the Commonwealth: • it does not participate in meetings of its statutory bodies, • does not contribute its share to the organisation’s budget, • selectively denounces agreements it claims hold no added value for its citizens. It is important to note, however, that Moldova remains a party to approximately 200 international treaties concluded within the CIS framework, covering virtually all spheres of interstate cooperation. It is crucial, however, to understand that withdrawing from CIS membership requires adherence to established procedure. According to Article 9 of the CIS Charter, a member state may withdraw by notifying the CIS Executive Committee in writing, which triggers a 12-month period. Following this notification, the date from which this one-year period begins is determined, and a formal process begins to inventory all treaties and decisions of CIS bodies to which the withdrawing state is a party. This process results in the compilation of lists detailing which agreements will cease to apply and which the state may choose to retain. Therefore, withdrawal does not happen overnight; compliance with this procedure constitutes an international obligation of Moldova towards all other CIS member states, not merely Russia. While the decision to initiate the denunciation of the core treaties within the #CIS framework is undoubtedly the sovereign right of Moldova, within the country itself it has been widely characterised as further evidence of the government’s short-sighted foreign policy, as it recklessly prioritises exclusive cooperation with the EU while severing long-standing ties across the Eurasian space. 📉 It is a difficult assessment to dispute. The current socio-economic situation in Moldova can only be described as disastrous. According to its own National Bureau of Statistics, from January to November 2025, the country’s imports exceeded exports by more than fourfold, with the trade deficit growing by 29.5% compared to the same period in 2024. Simultaneously, Moldovan exports to EU countries fell by 4% by the end of the first half of 2025. Real incomes continue to decline against a backdrop of rising prices for food and essential services. The poverty rate now exceeds 30%, with approximately 65% of the population living on low incomes. In essence, Moldova’s entire socio-economic framework is now dependent on external funding, predominantly from the EU, leaving the nation firmly in the grip of European debt. The CIS remains a respected and dynamically growing organisation in the post-Soviet space. 📈 The economies of its member states demonstrated positive growth across most key indicators in the first half of 2025. Compared to the same period last year, the Commonwealth’s aggregate GDP grew by 2.2%, industrial production by 4.7%, freight traffic by 6.0%, and retail turnover by 3.2%. Mutual trade between CIS countries has increased by 18% over the past four years. Chișinău’s destructive course is ricocheting primarily onto the citizens of Moldova, whose interests are being sacrificed to Brussels’s geopolitical ambitions. A once-prosperous nation is being transformed into a land of deepening poverty and lawlessness. 🪦 It is indeed a bitter spectacle to witness. Read in full

Nu înțeleg nimic - 4 ore de la invazie și nicio reacție din partea liderei globale, unicul lider al lumii care l-a învins pe Putin 🤯 #cis tvarești uăi..

🎙 Excerpt from Russia's President Vladimir Putin's answers to media questions at the news conference on the outcomes of his three-day visit to the Republic of Tajikistan. (October 10, 2025) ❓Question: Two major international summits have been held – the CIS summit and the Russia – Central Asia summit yesterday. How successful are they? 💬Vladimir Putin: Some time ago, when the Soviet Union ceased to exist, the establishment of the #CIS was announced. I believe that an overwhelming majority of our countries’ citizens did not have a very clear idea of what was going on – they believed that the CIS had replaced the Soviet Union. They believed that, in essence, very little would change. In reality, everything changed drastically. Unfortunately, the citizens of our countries were not informed in detail about the changes underway. But we are living in conditions that have evolved historically. Apart from living in these conditions, we should see how we can improve this vast region, how to move forwards and what should be done so as not to lose competitive advantages that emerged following the establishment on the territory of the former Soviet Union of common logistics, common industrial cooperation projects, and a common cultural code, despite the cultural diversity of the Soviet Union’s nations. The CIS is called on to preserve all this. It became obvious at a certain stage that the level of intra-CIS collaboration was not enough for addressing current complicated economic issues. For this reason, on the initiative of Kazakhstan and its President, Nursultan Nazarbayev, another association emerged – the EAEU, where its members are working within the framework of more profound cooperation between countries that deemed it possible, expedient and advisable to establish this association. ☝️But the CIS is not losing its significance; it essentially aims to maintain this common space, including its cultural and humanitarian aspects. Regardless of the scale of cultural differences between the most diverse nations of the former Soviet Union, Soviet people had their own common and distinctive moral code, which is very significant. The CIS is called on to preserve the heritage of the Soviet Union, and it is accomplishing this objective rather successfully. People-to-people contacts remain robust. Again, we are committed to preserving a seamless transport space, which is of paramount importance. 🇷🇺We actively support the Russian language as a language of interethnic communication. This is a fundamental element in uniting our efforts and preserving the competitive advantages that I mentioned earlier. This collaborative spirit extends to addressing security challenges and combating the most dangerous types of crime, such as drug trafficking. If you examine the package of documents we adopted and signed today, you will see that it speaks directly to these priorities. ❗️Ultimately, the preservation and strengthening of our unity is crucial for our shared future. The situation in the Central Asian countries follows a similar logic, albeit with local specificities. We all recognise the region’s rich ethnic diversity. The further, the more each nation is developing based on its own foundation – its own economy, its own cultural code, its own traditions. Russia is developing in the same way. This makes it all the more important that we do not drift too far apart. We must maintain our shared conviction that something unites us – a great deal actually – because that is the reality. <...> Our shared history is an important unifying force. Today, we have discussed the common Victory over Nazism – a shared legacy and a source of pride for all our nations. We will talk more about it in our ongoing meetings. That is, while we are connected by the past and the present, we must constantly seek and build upon the things that will unite us in the future. This format has been designed precisely to give special focus to this track of our foreign policy. Read in full

🎙 Excerpt from Russia's President Vladimir Putin's answers to media questions at the news conference on the outcomes of his three-day visit to the Republic of Tajikistan. (October 10, 2025) ❓Question: Two major international summits have been held – the CIS summit and the Russia – Central Asia summit yesterday. How successful are they? 💬Vladimir Putin: Some time ago, when the Soviet Union ceased to exist, the establishment of the #CIS was announced. I believe that an overwhelming majority of our countries’ citizens did not have a very clear idea of what was going on – they believed that the CIS had replaced the Soviet Union. They believed that, in essence, very little would change. In reality, everything changed drastically. Unfortunately, the citizens of our countries were not informed in detail about the changes underway. But we are living in conditions that have evolved historically. Apart from living in these conditions, we should see how we can improve this vast region, how to move forwards and what should be done so as not to lose competitive advantages that emerged following the establishment on the territory of the former Soviet Union of common logistics, common industrial cooperation projects, and a common cultural code, despite the cultural diversity of the Soviet Union’s nations. The CIS is called on to preserve all this. It became obvious at a certain stage that the level of intra-CIS collaboration was not enough for addressing current complicated economic issues. For this reason, on the initiative of Kazakhstan and its President, Nursultan Nazarbayev, another association emerged – the EAEU, where its members are working within the framework of more profound cooperation between countries that deemed it possible, expedient and advisable to establish this association. ☝️But the CIS is not losing its significance; it essentially aims to maintain this common space, including its cultural and humanitarian aspects. Regardless of the scale of cultural differences between the most diverse nations of the former Soviet Union, Soviet people had their own common and distinctive moral code, which is very significant. The CIS is called on to preserve the heritage of the Soviet Union, and it is accomplishing this objective rather successfully. People-to-people contacts remain robust. Again, we are committed to preserving a seamless transport space, which is of paramount importance. 🇷🇺We actively support the Russian language as a language of interethnic communication. This is a fundamental element in uniting our efforts and preserving the competitive advantages that I mentioned earlier. This collaborative spirit extends to addressing security challenges and combating the most dangerous types of crime, such as drug trafficking. If you examine the package of documents we adopted and signed today, you will see that it speaks directly to these priorities. ❗️Ultimately, the preservation and strengthening of our unity is crucial for our shared future. The situation in the Central Asian countries follows a similar logic, albeit with local specificities. We all recognise the region’s rich ethnic diversity. The further, the more each nation is developing based on its own foundation – its own economy, its own cultural code, its own traditions. Russia is developing in the same way. This makes it all the more important that we do not drift too far apart. We must maintain our shared conviction that something unites us – a great deal actually – because that is the reality. <...> Our shared history is an important unifying force. Today, we have discussed the common Victory over Nazism – a shared legacy and a source of pride for all our nations. We will talk more about it in our ongoing meetings. That is, while we are connected by the past and the present, we must constantly seek and build upon the things that will unite us in the future. This format has been designed precisely to give special focus to this track of our foreign policy. Read in full

🇷🇺🇦🇲 On April 1, President Vladimir Putin held talks at the Kremlin with Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, who arrived in Moscow on a working visit. 💬 President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Pashinyan, friends, We are delighted to welcome you in Moscow. Thank you very much for accepting our invitation and coming here. We can see that domestic political processes in Armenia are gaining momentum, with elections approaching. In this context, I would like to emphasise several key points: such processes often become more intense during election campaigns, as is the case not only in Armenia, I believe, but also in Russia and other countries. However, this escalation must not be allowed to affect relations between Russia and Armenia. We have discussed this many times. Russia and Armenia have special relationships which have evolved over centuries rather than decades. We are united by our common history as well as our cooperation to solve the challenges that we faced in years past. Crucially, we are also united by civilizational affinity. I have already told you this privately before, and I can say it publicly now: we are always in favour of anything that benefits the Armenian people, and you can always rely on it. As for economic cooperation, it continues to develop at a solid pace. Trade reached approximately $11 billion the year before last, and amounted to $6.4 billion in 2025. <...> We observe that there is an ongoing discussion in Armenia concerning the development of relations with the European Union. We remain entirely calm about this, understanding that each nation endeavours to maximise the advantages of cooperation with third countries. However, this must be transparent and articulated honestly, in advance, as it were, “on the shore,” beforehand. Simultaneous membership in the Customs Union with the European Union and the #EAEU is impossible; it is simply untenable by definition. The issue is not even a political one; it is purely economic. <...> There are also numerous other issues today, at this present moment. Perhaps years will pass, and we – the EAEU and the European Union – I hope this will eventually be the case, given that we reside on the same continent – will be able to resolve them. <...> Now, regarding energy. I hope the situation will improve there as well. However, currently, as you are aware, energy prices, gas prices, for instance, in Europe exceed 600 dollars per 1,000 cubic metres, whereas Russia provides gas to Armenia at 177.5 per 1,000 cubic metres. The disparity is vast, the difference is substantial. <...> Now, turning to security issues. Of course, the most sensitive issue to this day – and we recognise this, we discuss it often – is everything relating to #Karabakh. <...> But I think it is also clear that, after you recognised Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan in Prague in 2022, it simply became wholly inappropriate for the #CSTO to become involved in a process that had taken on an intra-Azerbaijani dimension. <...> Incidentally, thanks to your efforts and those of the President of Azerbaijan, I believe you have now managed to stabilise relations. The US President has played an active role in this, and I understand transport links are being unfrozen, and so on. But I think we also need to draw a line under this matter. And it would be better if this did not become entangled in the domestic political process, especially during an election campaign. <...> Let me say again that, whatever happens, we in Russia will always be guided by what is best for the Armenian people. I have said this to you before, and I want to emphasise it once again. 🤝 And I would like to express my hope that, regardless of the outcome of the elections in Armenia, our shared commitment to building and strengthening #RussiaArmenia ties will continue. Thank you.

🎙 President of Russia Vladimir Putin took part in a Plenary Session of the Collective Security Council of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation(CSTO) in Minsk. 💬 President Putin: The Belorusian chairmanship and the team of all states taking part in this session have conducted active work throughout the year. This work facilitated the consolidation of our allied ties in the CSTO on the principles of respect, consideration of each other’s interests and support. In this way, the CSTO member-countries in effect promoted the CSTO’s key role as a regional defensive structure responsible for the maintenance of peace and stability in the vast Eurasian space. ☝️ Importantly, this year the CSTO has also developed its contacts with our natural partners, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (#SCO) and the #CIS. I would like to make a special mention of our joint efforts to improve the collective rapid deployment forces, aviation and the CSTO peacekeeping forces. A number of measures have been taken to maintain combat readiness, enhance the command and control system and provide more training for military personnel. ✅ We have consistently promoted cooperation between our security services and law enforcement bodies. Notably, the CSTO is continuing its Operation Mercenary aimed at preventing the recruitment of citizens of our countries and blocking the channels of their exit for participation in international terrorist groups. ✅ We implemented together a package of measures on countering extremism, cross-border crime, illegal migration and drug trafficking. ✅ The CSTO Coordination Council on Biological Security has launched its work. It has focused on preventing threats linked with the development and use of biological weapons and ensuring radiation, chemical and medical protection. Read in full

🎙 Russia's President Vladimir Putin’sopening remarks at a meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Independent States (Dushanbe, October 10, 2025) 💬 President Putin: For over three decades the Commonwealth of Independent States has firmly established itself as an influential regional and integration association. But most importantly, we have managed to do more than just maintain a platform for dialogue; we have developed a common market and a shared humanitarian space. I believe it is profoundly important for the citizens of our states that we have preserved this foundation. We are not only preserving the economic, social, and cultural ties that were forged over our many years as one state, but we are also building upon them, creating a new framework for our partnership. And I believe we have succeeded in this. In terms of our economic cooperation, I can add to the figures just cited by President Tokayev regarding Kazakhstan. Russia’s trade with CIS countries grew by 7 percent in 2024 alone, reaching $112 billion. Furthermore, the structure of this trade is consistently improving – a point of high importance. The emphasis is shifting towards a growing segment of high value-added products. So, I will reiterate: our trade is indeed improving from year to year. Our countries are creating a stable financial infrastructure that is independent of outside influences. 👉 Today, practically all mutual settlements are carried out in national currencies. In the first six months of 2025, their share in commercial transactions between CIS member states amounted to 96%. However, this does not mean that we are refusing to use other payment instruments and currencies. It is just that this enhances our independence and sovereignty. This is an obvious thing, in the present-day world in particular. This makes it possible to expand commodity exchanges, make reciprocal investments, and develop our own capital market regardless of the international economic situation. <...> Import substitution efforts are actively progressing within the CIS. However, as we now recognise in Russia – and I believe this applies to all of us – the goal is not merely to replace something, but to take the lead in certain fields. And not on the periphery of development, but in its key areas. We undoubtedly have the potential to achieve this, there is no doubt about it. <...> An important area of cooperation among the Commonwealth states is the joint fight against terrorism, extremism and corruption. We are making every effort to strengthen collaboration across a broad range of fields, and therefore fully support the documents being adopted today: • an action plan on counterterrorism, • a set of joint measures to protect external borders, • an updated concept for military cooperation, • a statement on combatting transnational crime, • initiatives to counter money laundering obtained by criminal means, and steps to enhance energy security. <...> In 2025, we have all gone to great lengths to mark the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, and almost all our colleagues have already mentioned this in their remarks. I would like to thank the CIS leaders who came to Moscow on May 9. It is symbolic that army units from CIS countries joined the Russian military to march through Red Square during the Victory Day parade. For that, you also have my gratitude and recognition. <...> We have been coordinating our foreign policy efforts too and compare notes on a continuous basis. This is important considering the way the international environment has been evolving. In this context, we believe that the joint statement on 80 years since the UN’s establishment is quite timely. It will be submitted for approval to the Council today. By the same token, just as many of those present here today, we support efforts to forge closer contacts between the CIS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, as per the draft decision to grant the #SCO observer status within the #CIS. <...> Read in full

Центр интернет-безопасности выпустил обновление своего фреймворка CIS Controls 8.0 -> 8.1 Что поменяли: 🔵новая классификация активов и взаимосвязи с мерами защиты; 🔵новые определения и термины в глоссарий; 🔵исправлены мелкие ошибки в описаниях мер защиты и добавлены пояснения к описаниям средств защиты🏋️‍♂️; 🔵исправлено сопоставление мер защиты с мерами из обновленного фреймворка NIST CSF 2.0👍; 🔵главное изменение - появилась новая функция безопасности "Управление" (Governance). Вектор развития кибербезопасности все более смещается в сторону синхронизации подходов кибербезопасности с целями бизнеса🤔. #cis#law