Speaking at a "Government Hour" session in the State Duma on February 11, 2026, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized that Russia remains committed to refining and deepening its ties with its closest neighbors. He highlighted that strategic partnerships and alliances within the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) are fundamental to maintaining regional stability and national security.
"The relations of strategic partnership and alliance with our immediate neighbors — countries of the 'near abroad,' as we say, including the states of the CIS and CSTO — contribute to strengthening national security and maintaining general regional stability," the minister noted. "We will continue to work on perfecting these relationships."
Lavrov pointed out that Russia’s assumption of the CSTO chairmanship on January 1, 2026, provides an excellent opportunity to advance these goals throughout the year. He recalled that the priorities outlined by President Vladimir Putin include deepening foreign policy coordination among member states, advancing collective initiatives, and expanding the organization’s engagement with international partners.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS