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The CSTO summit began with a restricted format meeting held after a welcoming ceremony and a joint photo session.

Taking part in the meeting were President of Russia Vladimir Putin, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, and CSTO Secretary General Imangali Tasmagambetov.

International consultations continued in the expanded format with the participation of the delegation members. The meeting participants reviewed interaction within the CSTO in 2025 and coordinated plans to improve the system of collective security. Vladimir Putin briefed his colleagues on the priorities of Russia’s CSTO chairmanship in 2026.

A number of documents were signed following the summit, including the Declaration of the CSTO Collective Security Council and a statement on combatting drug trafficking.

The documents that have been signed include the decisions of the CSTO Collective Security Council on the CSTO collective security strategy, on the anti-drug strategy of the CSTO member states for 2026–2030, on measures to shape a positive image of the CSTO and its member states in the information space, on the action plan to develop military cooperation among the CSTO member states in 2026–2030, and on amending the Decision of the CSTO Collective Security Council on the CSTO Troops (Collective Forces) command and control system, approved on September 15, 2015.

In addition, the participants signed a statement of the CSTO Collective Security Council on strengthening cooperation to combat illegal drug trafficking.

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Speech at the expanded-format meeting of the CSTO Collective Security Council

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Friends, colleagues,

Russia will assume the CSTO chairmanship on January 1, 2026, as was mentioned earlier. Its motto will be Collective Security in a Multipolar World: Common Goal, Shared Responsibility. Russia will do everything necessary to maintain continuity in the main spheres of interaction within the CSTO, developing cooperation between our countries based on the principles of true alliance, friendship and good neighbourliness, respect and consideration for each other’s interests, and mutual assistance and support.

Over the past decade, the Collective Security Treaty Organisation has become a respected regional structure. The CSTO reliably guarantees security and stability in the Eurasian space while protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its member states. In the context of geopolitical tensions, it is logical that the task of promoting the collective interests and initiatives of the CSTO member states on the international stage is coming to the fore.

In this regard, the Russian side would like to propose holding an international expert forum on the creation of an equal and indivisible security architecture in Eurasia before the 2026 CSTO summit in Moscow. We intend to invite not only the delegations of the member states but also representatives of friendly countries and multilateral organisations and integration associations.

Of course, Russia will continue to work closely with its allies in all areas related to strengthening the CSTO’s military capabilities, focusing its efforts on reinforcing the combat readiness of national forces and improving the command and control of the collective forces. We propose launching a large-scale programme to supply the collective forces with modern Russian weapons and military equipment, which have proven their effectiveness in military operations on the ground. It is in this spirit that we plan to organise a series of joint training events for our military units and special services, including during the next stages of our regular Interaction, Echelon and Search exercises. We believe that special attention should be paid to the development of the organisation’s air force and air defence system.

Much remains to be done to improve the mechanisms for deploying peacekeeping forces. A key priority of Russia’s chairmanship will be to develop cooperation among our states in securing the CSTO’s technological leadership in the military sphere, with particular emphasis on deepening collaboration among defence industry enterprises.

Russia will also actively facilitate the introduction of the latest advancements in military medicine for use by the collective forces. We will, naturally, continue to provide assistance to the member states in the sphere of sanitary and epidemiological well-being, thereby supporting joint efforts to prevent and respond to outbreaks of dangerous diseases.

We expect to enhance the effectiveness of the Coordinating Council on Biosecurity, established within the CSTO on Russia’s initiative in 2021. In our view, it would be prudent to hear a report from its leadership on the situation in this sphere at our next meeting.

During our chairmanship, we plan to start working together on the new CSTO counter-terrorism strategy. We will strive to do everything necessary to resolutely counter extremism. Together with our partners in the organisation, we will continue our work to identify and eliminate international terrorist groups and their cells, as well as to disrupt their channels of financing.

Among the most important priorities of the organisation’s activities, I would also like to highlight information security. The Russian side is committed to close cooperation with its allies in preventing the spread of radical ideas among young people. We consider it imperative to take additional measures to protect our shared information space from such threats.

Undoubtedly, we will make every effort to further strengthen cooperation in combating drug trafficking. We will continue to conduct the Channel anti-drug operation, with the involvement of interested international participants.

As a forward-looking objective, we are considering the enhancement of the CSTO’s information and analytical capabilities and the expansion of its network of auxiliary and consultative mechanisms. For instance, we believe the time is right to establish an Association of Analytical Centres of the CSTO Member States for international relations and security.

It would also be advisable to focus on developing inter-parliamentary cooperation to harmonise the national legislation of the organisation’s member states.

Furthermore, given the growing scope of tasks facing our CSTO Secretariat and Joint Staff, we propose actively exploring ways to improve the efficiency of their work, undertake structural optimisation, ensure flexible adaptation to modern realities, and, of course, create conditions to attract highly qualified personnel for joint endeavours.

In conclusion, I would like to express my gratitude to Mr Sadyr Japarov for his hospitality and for the tremendous work carried out within the organisation under Kyrgyzstan’s chairmanship.

I would also like to once again wish every success to the representative of Kyrgyzstan who has assumed the post of CSTO Secretary General. Naturally, we will provide him with all necessary assistance.

It has been agreed that the next session of the Collective Security Council will be held in Moscow on November 11, 2026. We will be delighted to welcome you to the Russian capital.

Thank you for your attention.