Putin pledges closer ties with ex-Soviet neighbors at CIS summit

TURKMENBASHI, Turkmenistan - Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized strengthening economic and other ties between former Soviet nations during a CIS summit on Friday. Speaking at the summit in the Caspian Sea resort of Avaza, outside the port city of Turkmenbashi in Turkmenistan, Putin hailed cooperation with other ex-Soviet countries as the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) had become an "authoritative regional integration structure" that helps maintain economic, social, cultural, and humanitarian ties developed by their peoples over centuries.

Putin touted Russia's trade with former Soviet neighbors, which surpassed $110 billion in 2025, with 90% of transactions conducted in national currencies. He emphasized that this economic cooperation helps deepen ties regardless of foreign influence. Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian, who attended the summit as an observer, joined a separate meeting of Caspian Sea nations' leaders later that day.

The two leaders met on the sidelines of the Turkmenistan summit on Thursday to discuss Iran's efforts to resolve the conflict in the region. Putin affirmed Russia's readiness to assist Iran in resolving the situation peacefully and praised the relationship between Moscow and Tehran, opposing U.S. "unilateralism." Pezeshkian stressed the importance of respecting Iran's rights for the conflict to be resolved.