🎙 Statement by President of Russia Vladimir Putin at the restricted-format meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of State (Turkmenbashi, October 9, 2026)

💬 Vladimir Putin: Over the past three and a half decades, the Commonwealth of Independent States (#CIS) has come a long way, establishing itself as a respected regional integration association.

It is thanks to the CIS that we have managed to preserve, and in many areas even strengthen, the economic, social, cultural and humanitarian ties our peoples developed over centuries of living in a single state.

The economy has always been, and remains, one of our priorities for cooperation. The CIS countries work closely together in trade, investment and high technology. Of course, we would like to move faster and work more effectively in this area. That is certainly true. Nevertheless, progress is being made.

📈 Notably, Russia’s trade with its CIS partners exceeded $110 billion in 2025 and grew by a further 12% in the first half of this year.

Our countries have also established effective coordination in tackling financial and economic offences, money laundering and corruption. We are implementing joint programmes to combat the criminal use of digital technologies, organised crime, drug trafficking, terrorism and extremism. Our law enforcement agencies and special services maintain close operational contacts.

A number of useful new decisions on criminal justice, cybercrime prevention and border protection have been submitted for approval at this Summit, and Russia supports them.

🌐 I am pleased to note that the CIS countries unanimously support the establishment of a fair #MultipolarWorld order based on the universally recognised principles of international law and the central role of the UN.

Humanitarian ties are an important part of our partnership within the CIS. We maintain intensive exchanges in science and education, culture and tourism, healthcare and environmental protection, sport and youth policy.

As for the environment, thanks to our hosts, who are chairing this meeting, we will also discuss the situation in the Caspian Sea today – a pressing issue for many of us.

🇷🇺 The Russian language is a powerful unifying force across the vast CIS region, as has also been noted today. In 2026, the International Organisation for the Russian Language began its work. Its first ministerial meeting took place in Moscow, setting out the main areas of work to preserve our shared Russian-language cultural and humanitarian heritage and promote the Russian language worldwide.

I have repeatedly stressed the importance of joint efforts by the CIS countries to protect our shared history and prevent its falsification. Young people must know the truth about our peoples’ achievements during the Soviet era and the heroic feats of our fathers and grandfathers during the Great Patriotic War.

More broadly, promoting a positive image of the CIS among the public, in the media and on the international stage is a particularly important task. We expect the relevant decision being approved at today’s meeting to give fresh impetus to this work.

🤝 Following our established tradition, dear friends, I would like to invite you all to St Petersburg on December 21. We traditionally gather for a friendly meeting of CIS Leaders ahead of the New Year, giving us an opportunity to discuss current issues and future plans in an informal setting.

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