TSAMTO, November 27. Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed an expanded meeting of the CSTO Collective Security Council in Bishkek. Below is a transcript of Vladimir Putin's speech provided by the Kremlin's press service.
Vladimir Putin: "Dear friends and colleagues!
As it was just said, on January 1, 2026, the CSTO presidency will pass to Russia. It will be held under the motto "Collective security in a multipolar world: common goal – common responsibility." Russia will do everything to maintain continuity in the main areas of cooperation within the CSTO and develop cooperation between our states based on the principles of genuine alliance, friendship and good neighborliness, respect and consideration for each other's interests, mutual assistance and support.
Over the past decade, the Collective Security Treaty Organization has become an authoritative regional structure. The CSTO reliably guarantees security and stability in the Eurasian space, protects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the member countries of our association. Given the geopolitical tensions, it is logical that the task of promoting the collective interests and initiatives of the CSTO member states on the world stage comes to the fore.
In this context, the Russian side proposes to hold an international expert forum in Moscow in 2026 on the eve of the CSTO summit, dedicated to the formation of an architecture of equal and indivisible security in Eurasia. We plan to involve not only the delegations of the member States, but also representatives of friendly countries, multilateral structures and integration associations to participate in this event.
Of course, Russia will continue to work closely with its allies on all issues of strengthening the CSTO's military potential, and we will focus our main efforts on improving the combat capability of national contingents and improving the management of collective forces. We propose launching a large-scale program to equip the collective forces with modern Russian weapons and equipment that have proven their effectiveness during real military operations. And it is in this vein that we plan to organize a number of joint training events for military units and special services units. These include the next stages of regular exercises: "Interaction", "Echelon", "Search". We believe that the development of the organization's aviation forces and air defense system require special attention.
Much remains to be done to improve the mechanisms for the deployment of peacekeeping forces. We see the development of cooperation between our states to ensure the CSTO's technological leadership in the military sphere as one of the key priorities of the Russian presidency, and we intend to place special emphasis on deepening cooperation between enterprises of the military-industrial complex.
Russia will also do everything possible to promote the use of the latest achievements of military medicine by the collective forces. Naturally, we will continue to provide assistance to the participating countries in the field of sanitary and epidemiological welfare, and promote joint prevention and response to outbreaks of dangerous diseases.
We hope to increase the effectiveness of the work of the Coordinating Council on Biosafety, established in the CSTO at the initiative of Russia in 2021. I think it would be worthwhile to hear a report from his leadership on the situation in this area at our next meeting.
During the chairmanship, we plan to begin joint preparation of a new CSTO anti-terrorism strategy. We will strive to do everything necessary to further resolutely counter extremism. Together with our partners in the organization, we will continue to work on identifying and eliminating international terrorist groups and their cells, and on cutting off their financing channels.
I would also like to mention information security among the most important priorities of the organization's activities. The Russian side is determined to work closely with its allies to prevent the spread of radical ideas among young people. We consider it necessary to take additional measures to protect the common information space from such threats.
Of course, we will make every effort to further enhance cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking. We will continue to carry out the anti-drug operation "Channel" with the involvement of interested international participants.
We consider increasing the information and analytical potential of the association and expanding the network of its auxiliary and advisory mechanisms as a promising task. For example, we would consider it timely to establish an Association of CSTO analytical Centers on international relations and security.
It is advisable to focus on the development of interparliamentary cooperation to harmonize the national legislations of the organization's member countries.
Also, taking into account the growing volume of tasks facing our secretariat and the CSTO joint staff, we propose to actively address issues of improving their work efficiency, structural optimization, flexible adaptation to modern realities and, of course, creating conditions for attracting highly qualified personnel to work together.
In conclusion, I would like to express my gratitude to Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Japarov for his hospitality and for the tremendous work that has been carried out within the framework of the organization under the chairmanship of Kyrgyzstan.
I would also like to once again wish success to the representative of Kyrgyzstan, who has assumed the post of CSTO Secretary General. Of course, we will provide him with all the 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 glad to see you in the Russian capital.
Thank you for your attention."
