❗️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.
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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.
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🗓 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.
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🗓 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.
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🌐 On September 26, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov took part in a traditional #BRICS Ministerial meeting held on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
The Ministers had an in-depth exchange of views on a broad range of international issues, including items on the agenda of the 79th UN General Assembly session. Discussions focused on peace and security, global economic stability, and sustainable development. The participants reiterated their commitment to enhancing coordination within BRICS on international platforms.
As part of preparations for the upcoming BRICS Summit in Kazan on October 22-24, the ministers reviewed pressing BRICS cooperation-related issues, including the establishment of a partner country category. The Brazilian delegation provided an outline of its BRICS chairmanship in 2025.
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En el marco del 79° periodo de sesiones de #UNGA79 comenzó la reunión entre el Canciller 🇷🇺 Serguei Lavrov y su homólogo 🇻🇪 Yvan Gil
Embajador Sergey Mélik-Bagdasárov:
Las negociaciones entre Rusia y Venezuela en el marco de la #UNGA79 transcurren en la tradicional atmósfera de amistad y respeto mutuo. ¡Las cálidas sonrisas de los Cancilleres Serguéi Lavrov e Yván Gil son prueba de ello! 😊 Una vez más, reforzamos los fuertes lazos que unen a nuestros pueblos.
#AlianzaEstrategicaEnAccion
🌐 On September 26, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrovtook part in a traditional #BRICS Ministerial meeting held on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
The Ministers had an in-depth exchange of views on a broad range of international issues, including items on the agenda of the 79th UN General Assembly session. Discussions focused on peace and security, global economic stability, and sustainable development. The participants reiterated their commitment to enhancing coordination within BRICS on international platforms.
As part of preparations for the upcoming BRICS Summit in Kazan on October 22-24, the ministers reviewed pressing BRICS cooperation-related issues, including the establishment of a partner country category. The Brazilian delegation provided an outline of its BRICS chairmanship in 2025.
#UNGA79
🔴#LIVE: Press Conference by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Sergey Vershinin on the outcomes of the participation of the Russian delegation in the High-Level Week of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly
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🔴#LIVE: Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks at the General Debate of 79th Session of the UN General Assembly
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🔴#LIVE: Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's news conference following the High-Level Week of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly
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🔴#LIVE: Remarks by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at G20 Foreign Ministers meeting on the sidelines of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly
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🔴UN Web TV
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🗓 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.
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