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Russia has proposed a comprehensive programme to equip the forces of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) with modern weaponry, aimed at strengthening collective security across the Eurasian region.
President Vladimir Putin emphasised that the initiative extends beyond rearmament to include joint training of military units and intelligence services, regular exercises, the development of air capabilities, enhancements to air defence systems, and the refinement of mechanisms for deploying peacekeeping forces.
A particular focus at the summit was the protection of the organisation’s western borders.
The Security Council of Belarus noted that the deployment of the new “Oreshnik” missile system on its territory is specifically aimed at the western direction, signalling concern over developments at the CSTO’s frontiers and a desire to ensure collective defence in this strategically sensitive sector.
The CSTO summit took place in Bishkek under the chairmanship of Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov. Leaders from Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Belarus attended, alongside representatives of the organisation’s secretariat.
Key topics included coordination of collective security, reform of the organisation’s leadership structure for the coming years, and enhancing the effectiveness of the alliance.
The summit confirmed the appointment of Kyrgyzstan’s Taaltbek Masadykov as CSTO Secretary General from the start of next year.
At the same time, Armenia again did not send a delegation, maintaining its suspended participation in 2024.
Deputy Foreign Minister Mnatsakan Safaryan explained that while the country does not participate in decision-making or the adoption of documents, it does not obstruct the CSTO’s work, adhering instead to a foreign policy guided by national interests, diversification, and balance.
He emphasised that, at this stage, Armenia is not considering leaving the CSTO, leaving the door open for a potential return to full participation in the future.
The summit also adopted the Declaration of the Council of Collective Security and a series of documents aimed at improving the organisation’s functioning.
These included an anti-narcotics strategy, a five-year plan for military cooperation, and measures to expand partnerships with other international organisations, including the CIS and SCO.
The next summit, over which Russia will once again preside, is scheduled for the 11th of November next year in Moscow.
This schedule underlines Moscow’s determination to play an active role in shaping the organisation’s future agenda and its intention to continue integrating and modernising the collective security forces across Eurasia.
Iran's Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad has resigned, with Hamid Bovard, chief executive of the state-owned National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), appointed as acting oil minister, according to Iranian state media.
Right-wing Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro will face leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in a runoff of the presidential election later this month, after he exceeded expectations in Sunday's first-round vote with a slight lead over the incumbent.
Candidates elected to Bosnia and Herzegovina's three-member presidency declared victory after preliminary unofficial results showed Denis Becirovic leading the Bosniak seat, Darijana Filipovic ahead in the Croat seat and Zeljka Cvijanovic likely retaining the Serb seat.
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States meets seven conditions agreed under a June memorandum, as President Donald Trump signals he may soon decide whether to resume military operations against Tehran.
Uzbekistan’s grape exports have grown rapidly. In January-August 2025, the country exported 86,200 tonnes of fresh grapes worth $78.3 million to 19 countries but can it turn these crops into a recognisable international product?
Regional powers gathered in Moscow on Monday for talks on Afghanistan, focusing on security, economic cooperation and Kabul’s relations with its neighbours.
Four major German political foundations have halted their work in Georgia as tighter rules on foreign grants put pressure on a decades-old partnership and add to tensions between Tbilisi and its European partners.
The U.S. has deployed two additional Patriot missile batteries to the Gulf, protecting key energy facilities in Saudi Arabia and Qatar as Washington expands its military presence in the Middle East amid heightened tensions with Iran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan held talks in Tehran on Monday on bilateral ties and efforts to strengthen peace and security in the South Caucasus.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry says it has conveyed its initial position to the United States through Qatar over Washington’s response to Tehran’s seven-day plan aimed at ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
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