Trade, artificial intelligence, and the threat of an environmental catastrophe in the Caspian - these topics became key at the anniversary CIS summit in Turkmenistan. Vladimir Putin, noting the untapped potential of economic ties, explained what is preventing faster progress. What else was discussed and what conclusions were drawn - in this RIA Novosti report.
The presidential aircraft landed in the Turkmen capital the previous evening: the high guest was greeted at the gangway with bread and salt and an honor guard. A couple of minutes later the head of state got into an "Aurus" - a packed program lay ahead.
The main event, of course, was the summit timed to the 35th anniversary of the CIS. But the discussion focused mainly not on the affairs of days past, but on prospects. Putin, in particular, pointed out that the possibilities of economic cooperation are far from exhausted, although Russia's trade turnover with CIS countries in 2025 exceeded 110 billion dollars and in the first half of 2026 added another 12%.
"Can we move even faster? Yes. Probably we can. What needs to be done for that? We need to remove barriers," he stressed.
The CIS has already built a fairly effective system of interaction. More than 90% of commercial operations are conducted in national currencies. Industrial and infrastructure projects are being implemented, and the North-South and East-West corridors are being modernized. Import substitution continues, with more and more machines, equipment, medicines and agricultural products being produced, the president listed.
Humanitarian ties are also being strengthened. Putin particularly noted the importance of the Russian language, shared history and preserving the memory of the Great Patriotic War.
The head of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, in turn, recalled that around 300 million people in the world speak Russian to one degree or another. But he added: "At the same time, it is extremely important to preserve a careful attitude toward the linguistic and cultural diversity of the CIS states."
In a joint statement, the summit participants spoke in favor of countering the distortion of history and the spread of disinformation, as well as against the glorification of Nazism, fascism and other destructive ideologies.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko called on his colleagues to move from words to practical actions.
"It is good that we meet, good that we talked, looked at each other, made a statement. For the domestic audience it is useful to know. But let us take other steps too in the area of closer unity," he said.
And he mentioned those who, on the contrary, prefer to sever ties. Lukashenko called Moldova's decision to withdraw from the CIS short-sighted, advising the republic's authorities not to deprive citizens of the opportunity to interact with CIS partners.
In addition, he expressed hope that Armenia will take over the CIS chairmanship in 2029 - after Azerbaijan, which will assume this role for the first time in 2028.
The leaders of these two countries developed the theme. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stressed: the settlement of the conflict with its neighbors is an accomplished fact. And he thanked Putin for his help in achieving the ceasefire in November 2020.
"After the war we walked a long road to peace," he continued.
Over the past two-plus years there have been no killed or wounded between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Pashinyan noted. And he reported the start of bilateral trade, the opening of the Azerbaijani railway for Armenian cargo, and the delimitation and demarcation of a 12-kilometer section of the state border.
President Ilham Aliyev focused on Azerbaijan's transport potential. In the first six months of this year, transit grew by ten percent, reaching almost eight million tons of cargo. In the medium term, Baku intends to increase transportation along the international East-West and North-South corridors to 15 million tons in each direction.
It is precisely the development of transport links that is one of the priorities of Uzbekistan's upcoming CIS chairmanship in 2027. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed simplifying transit procedures and creating convenient, safe and economically advantageous routes.
Central Asia is an important transport hub between East and West, North and South. The regional network should become part of a common one within the CIS and beyond.
Mirziyoyev also proposed deepening industrial cooperation and cooperating more closely in the areas of digital technology, artificial intelligence and robotization. In his view, it is necessary to build up one's own competencies and launch joint projects in the sectors on which the competitiveness of economies depends.
The head of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, summed up the results of the CIS's 35-year path. He noted that the commonwealth has confirmed its relevance as a platform for political dialogue, the development of economic and humanitarian ties and a joint response to security threats. The organization is adapting to changing conditions and building interaction with account for new realities.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also took part in the summit - for the first time.
The day before, he met with Putin. The Russian leader noted the positive dynamics of bilateral relations: mutual trade turnover in 2025 grew by 21% and this trend continues.
Putin confirmed Moscow's readiness to facilitate a peaceful settlement of the conflict in the Middle East, noting that Tehran is making corresponding efforts. Pezeshkian in response stressed that Iran and Russia are expanding cooperation in trade, the economy and the humanitarian sphere.
"Now is the best time for this," he is confident.
At the summit, the Iranian president also said that Tehran continues its dialogue with Washington, despite the attacks, and does not intend to abandon negotiations. The sides have already exchanged proposals. After the positions are finally agreed, results are to be summed up through intermediaries.
A dozen and a half documents were signed following the meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of State in "Avaza" on the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea. In addition to economics and politics, they touched on one of the most acute common problems of the region - the state of the Caspian.
The Caspian Sea is rapidly shallowing, and this affects not only the ecology but also the economy, transport, and indeed the life of the coastal areas. At the environmental summit, which took place immediately after the CIS leaders' meeting, Aliyev warned: the Caspian has already shrunk by more than 20 thousand square kilometers, and in the Azerbaijani part of the sea, due to the retreat of the water, about 30 thousand hectares of dry land have formed.
This threatens catastrophic consequences. Aliyev stressed: preserving the unique ecosystem is a common task of the five Caspian states, and he also recalled the significance of the Convention on the Legal Status of the Sea, signed in 2018.
Russia is already preparing a program to study changes in the Caspian level and minimize negative consequences through 2030. In addition, Moscow proposes creating a digital twin of the body of water using artificial intelligence. The model will make it possible to forecast the water level, as well as adjust navigation routes, improving the safety of shipping.
Putin also invited other CIS partners to join this initiative. Much for all the countries of the commonwealth depends on preserving the Caspian Sea.