🗓 On September 26, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov took part in a working meeting of the #CSTO Foreign Ministers organised by Kazakhstan’s CSTO chairmanship on the sidelines of the high-level week of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly.
🤝 The Ministers discussed a wide range of international and regional security issues. They stressed the need to step up coordination of actions on topical issues on the UN’s agenda between the CSTO member states on the UN platform and further promote cooperation between the CSTO and the UN.
The Ministers discussed preparations for the next session of the CSTO Collective Security Council on November 28 in Astana.
#UNGA79
🗓 On September 26, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrovtook part in a working meeting of the #CSTO Foreign Ministers organised by Kazakhstan’s CSTO chairmanship on the sidelines of the high-level week of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly.
🤝 The Ministers discussed a wide range of international and regional security issues. They stressed the need to step up coordination of actions on topical issues on the UN’s agenda between the CSTO member states on the UN platform and further promote cooperation between the CSTO and the UN.
The Ministers discussed preparations for the next session of the CSTO Collective Security Council on November 28 in Astana.
#UNGA79
🗓 On September 26, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov took part in a working meeting of the #CSTO Foreign Ministers organised by Kazakhstan’s CSTO chairmanship on the sidelines of the high-level week of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly.
🤝 The Ministers discussed a wide range of international and regional security issues. They stressed the need to step up coordination of actions on topical issues on the UN’s agenda between the CSTO member states on the UN platform and further promote cooperation between the CSTO and the UN.
The Ministers discussed preparations for the next session of the CSTO Collective Security Council on November 28 in Astana.
#UNGA79
🗓 On September 27, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had a meeting with High Representatives of the Pacific Small Island Developing States on the sidelines of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
The discussion centred on current international issues, including the situation in the Asia-Pacific region and globally.
🤝 The Officials confirmed their intention to step up cooperation on a broad range of issues of mutual interest.
#UNGA79
🗓 On September 25, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had a brief meeting with OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Malta, Ian Borg, on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, at the latter’s initiative.
The counterparts discussed topical issues on the organisation’s agenda. The Russian side stressed the importance of the OSCE’s work in the interests of all member states, rather than individual groups of countries. Ways to overcome the crisis in the OSCE and normalise its activities were outlined, including in light of the upcoming OSCE Ministerial Council Meeting to take place in Valletta on December 5 and 6.
During the meeting, Sergey Lavrov and Ian Borg also touched upon some aspects of Russia-Malta relations.
#UNGA79
🗓On March 31, under Russia’s chairmanship, the CSTO Secretariat in Moscow hosted consultations on current issues of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation.
The event brought together delegations of #CSTO member states, Acting Deputy Secretary General of the CSTO Sergey Ordabayev, and other representatives of the Organisation’s Secretariat.
• The participants held a substantive exchange of views on the current state of affairs and prospects in the field of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation.
• They underscored the importance of joint efforts aimed at preserving and strengthening the relevant international legal framework.
• Further steps were discussed in specific areas of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation, with a view to contributing to international peace and security.
• The participants reaffirmed the value of regular coordination on these issues in order to enhance cooperation within the Organisation.
⚡️On March 25, the Council of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (#CSTO) adopted a Statement in connection with the escalation in the Middle East and around the Islamic Republic of Iran:
The Council of the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly expresses serious concern over the military strikes on the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the developments in the Middle East.
We call on all Sides to exercise restraint and refrain from actions that could further aggravate the situation in the region.
We consider the use of force unacceptable and call for the existing differences to be resolved exclusively by peaceful means on the basis of dialogue, mutual respect and due regard for the interests of all Sides, in accordance with the universally recognized principles and norms of international law and the UN Charter.
We call on the UN and the UN Security Council to take urgent steps to counter threats to international peace and security.
We underscore the need to ensure Iran’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.
We declare our solidarity with and support for the Government and people of Iran.
We extend our sincere condolences to the families of the victims.
❗️Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s statement on the beginning of Russia’s CSTO Presidency
On January 1, 2026, Russia assumed the presidency of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (#CSTO) and will hold it under the motto, Collective Security in a Multipolar World: Common Goal, Shared Responsibility.
Together with our CSTO allies, we are joining forces to uphold our common approaches to resolving international security issues.
The fundamental documents of the Organisation set forth the principles of peaceful co-existence of states, the priority of a political and diplomatic settlement, and compliance with the international law with the UN playing a leading role. This forms the foundation for working with our partners to forge mutually beneficial relations and to actively engage in shaping the contours of a future architecture of equal and indivisible security across the Eurasian space. The CSTO could become one of its pillars.
We would like the Eurasian states to take responsibility for resolving security issues and determine the future of the continent themselves, without any outside interference.
The Collective Security Treaty Organisation has emerged as a prominent and respected association of allied states, whose activities are not directed against anyone, do not contain any aggressive aspirations, and aim exclusively to maintain regional stability and ensure the wellbeing of its member states. Moreover, all decisions in the Organisation are made by consensus based on a balance of interests, and cooperation is based on the principles of respect for each other, good neighbourliness, genuine friendship and mutual support.
🤝Russia will ensure continuity in the development of main areas of cooperation, among other things, by continuing to work on implementing the initiatives of the presidency of the Kyrgyz Republic which has just finished.
In view of geopolitical tension, we will strive to further consolidate CSTO member states, strengthen allied ties, and deepen coordination on key international matters. We will continue our policy of expanding the CSTO’s network of contacts with the Eurasian states and their integration associations.
Our efforts will focus on effectively fulfilling the Organisation’s primary mission which consists of maintaining peace and stability in its area of responsibility, ensuring favourable conditions for safe development and prosperity of the CSTO member states. No one should have any doubts: we will not allow any chaos in our common home.
We attach great importance to the development of the enforcement dimension in the Organisation’s work. There are plans to focus on building up the capabilities of the Collective Forces of the CSTO, equipping them with up-to-date and compatible weapons and equipment. The work will be structured in accordance with the nature of current and potential challenges, taking into consideration the experience of present-day armed conflicts.
We will pay special attention to cooperation in protection against biological threats and information security. Ensuring technological leadership in the military sphere, developing military-industrial complexes of the CSTO countries and promoting their cooperation, and fulfilling the innovative potential will also be among our priorities.
We intend to use a wider range of tools for jointly countering international terrorism and extremism, money laundering and terrorist financing, as well as combating illicit drug and arms trafficking, transnational organised crime, and illegal migration.
<...>
We are confident in the support of our partners in implementing the priorities of the Russian presidency, and ready to work closely together and productively in 2026.
I am convinced that through joint efforts we will bring cooperation within the CSTO to a new level to preserve and strengthen peace in the Organisation’s space.
Read in full
🗓 On December 25, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov chaired a regular meeting of an interdepartmental working group on preparations for and support of the Russian Federation’s chairship of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation in 2026.
The meeting took place at the Russia's Foreign Ministry and was attended by representatives of the Presidential Executive Office, federal executive authorities and organisations involved in this work.
Taking into account the outcomes of the #CSTO Collective Security Council session held in Bishkek on November 27, 2005, and objectives related to the implementation of the decisions adopted at the session, the meeting participants approved a plan of activities for Russia’s CSTO chairship in 2026.
The participants also discussed progress in preparations for the key events of Russia’s chairship, including the Moscow Summit of the CSTO and the International Forum for Collective Security, scheduled to take place in the Russian capital in November 2026.
🎙Statement by President Vladimir Putin at the expanded meeting of the Collective Security Council of the CSTO(November 27, 2025, Bishkek)
A package of documents was signed following the Summit, including the Declaration of the Collective Security Council of the CSTO and a statement on combating drug trafficking.
💬Vladimir Putin: From January 1, 2026 the #CSTO Chairmanship passes to Russia.
It will be held under the motto: “Collective security in a multipolar world: one goal – shared responsibility”. Russia will do everything necessary to preserve continuity in the key areas of the Organization’s work and to deepen cooperation among our states on the principles of genuine alliance, friendship and good-neighbourliness, mutual respect, support and consideration of each other’s interests.
Over the past decade, the Collective Security Treaty Organization has become an authoritative regional structure. The CSTO reliably guarantees security and stability across the Eurasian space, safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its member states. In the context of rising geopolitical tensions, it is only logical that the promotion of the collective interests and initiatives of CSTO countries on the world stage should come to the forefront.
☝️ In this context, the Russian Side proposes convening in 2026, ahead of the CSTO Summit in Moscow, an international expert forum dedicated to building an architecture of equal and indivisible security in Eurasia. We plan to invite not only delegations of CSTO member states but also representatives of friendly countries, multilateral platforms and integration associations.
Russia will, of course, continue close cooperation with its allies on all issues of strengthening the CSTO’s military potential. Our main efforts will focus on enhancing combat readiness of national contingents and improving the command and control of Collective Forces. We propose launching a large-scale programme to equip the Collective Forces with modern Russian weapons and hardware that have proven their effectiveness in real combat conditions.
We plan to hold a series of joint exercises for military and special-service units. These include the next stages of regular exercises: Interaction, Echelon, and Search. We believe that the development of the Organization’s air component and air-defence system requires particular attention.
<…>
We expect to increase the effectiveness of the CSTO Coordinating Council on Biosafety, established at Russia’s initiative in 2021. We believe it would be useful to hear a report from its leadership on the current situation at one of our forthcoming meetings.
During the Chairmanship, we plan to start the joint drafting of a new CSTO Counter-Terrorism Strategy. We will continue to do everything necessary to resolutely combat extremism, and together with our partners we will work to identify and eliminate international terrorist groups and cells, and to cut off their financing channels.
Among the Organisation’s most important priorities I would also note information security. Russia intends to work closely with its allies to counter the spread of radical ideas among young people. We consider it necessary to adopt additional measures to protect our common information space from such threats.
We will certainly continue strengthening our cooperation in combating drug trafficking and will carry on with the anti-drug operation Channel, with the involvement of interested international partners.
👉The next Session of the Collective Security Council will take place in Moscow on November 11, 2026.
Read in full
⚡️Joint Statement by Foreign Ministers of CSTO Member States on Countering Radicalisation Leading to Terrorism and Extremism(June 30, 2025)
📃 The member states of the #CSTOexpress profound concern over the escalating threats of terrorism and extremism worldwide and acknowledge the existence of numerous internal and external factors that give rise to the grave problem of radicalisation, which fuels violence and facilitates involvement in terrorist and extremist activities.
They unequivocally condemn terrorism and extremism in all their forms and manifestations, underscoring that no act of terrorism or extremism can ever be justified, irrespective of its motivation, timing, or perpetrators. Those responsible for such unlawful acts must be brought to justice.
☝️ The member states voice alarm at the rising number of terrorist and other extremist acts, which pose threats to society and the state, committed under the influence of radical ideologies, including those rooted in neo-Nazism, xenophobia, racism, and other forms of intolerance. They emphasise that terrorism and extremism must not – and cannot – be associated with any religion, nationality, civilisation, or ethnic group.
They stress the impermissibility of any support for, propaganda of, justification of, or incitement to terrorist and extremist activities.
The member states oppose double standards in the sphere of combating terrorism and extremism, as well as attempts to exploit terrorist and extremist groups for self-serving geopolitical aims.
🌐 They reaffirm the importance of consolidating efforts in the international struggle against terrorism and extremism, expressing their readiness to engage in collaborative work based on equitable dialogue and respect for national sovereignty. <...>.
The member states recognise that states must assume a leading role in countering terrorist and extremist threats. In this connection, they underscore the necessity of advancing regional and international collaboration to enhance the capacity of state institutions, emphasising that national experiences, priorities, and contexts must be duly considered in view of differing legal, political, socio-economic, cultural, religious, and other local specificities.<...>
The member states attach paramount importance to implementing comprehensive measures to counter the financing and other forms of support for terrorism and extremism, including through disrupting recruitment, arms supply channels, and the cross-border movement of terrorists.
🤝 They remain committed to further developing collaboration in combating international terrorist and extremist organisations that pose a direct threat to CSTO member states, as well as to neutralising attempts at destructive external interference in the internal affairs of CSTO member states <...>.
The member states intend to coordinate relevant approaches within specialised international and regional organisations to develop effective common measures for countering radicalisation that leads to terrorism and extremism.
Read in full