Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Putin Pledges Stronger Economic and Cultural Ties Across CIS
Vladimir Putin met leaders from countries that were once part of the Soviet Union.
They gathered for a meeting of the Commonwealth of Independent States, or CIS, in Turkmenistan.
Putin said Russia wanted to build stronger economic and other connections with these countries.
He also praised the Russian language as a way people across the group can communicate.
Putin said trade between Russia and CIS members was more than $110 billion in 2025.
He said most of that trade used the countries’ own currencies.
Putin did not talk about Russia’s war in Ukraine during his speech.
Iran’s president also attended and spoke with Putin about efforts to resolve a regional conflict peacefully.
Vladimir Putin said Russia would help strengthen economic and other ties among Commonwealth of Independent States members.
At a summit in Turkmenistan, Putin described the CIS as an important regional integration structure.
Putin said Russia’s trade with CIS members exceeded $110 billion in 2025, with 90% of transactions in national currencies.
Putin did not mention the war in Ukraine, while praising financial arrangements independent of foreign influence.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attended as an observer and discussed regional diplomacy with Putin.
- Who
- Russian President Vladimir Putin and leaders of Commonwealth of Independent States members; Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attended as an observer.
- What
- Putin pledged to strengthen ties among CIS members and cited trade exceeding $110 billion in 2025.
- When
- Friday; Putin and Pezeshkian also held talks on Thursday.
- Where
- The CIS summit was held in Avaza, Turkmenistan.
- Why
- Putin said closer ties would support economic, social, cultural and humanitarian connections among the member countries.
- Group
- Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), a grouping of former Soviet nations
- Summit location
- Avaza, near Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan
- Russia-CIS trade
- More than $110 billion in 2025, according to Putin
- Transaction currencies
- Putin said 90% of transactions were made in national currencies
- Iranian participation
- Masoud Pezeshkian attended the CIS summit as an observer
- Ukraine
- Putin did not mention Russia’s war in Ukraine in his summit remarks