CIS leaders approve creation of CIS+ format to expand partnerships

Leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), at a meeting of the Council of Heads of State, approved the establishment of the CIS+ format to enhance cooperation with other countries and associations. This is confirmed by the list of documents published on the official Kremlin website following the summit.

The main topics discussed included economic growth, regional security, and international cooperation. According to President of Belarus Aleksander Lukashenko, CIS leaders are demonstrating a course towards consolidation and building a stable architecture of cooperation across Eurasia. His remarks were reported by BelTA, a partner of TV BRICS.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin noted that the new CIS+ format will enable partner countries and organisations to engage more actively in the work of the Commonwealth.

"Trade between Russia and CIS countries has increased by 7 per cent, reaching US$112 billion. [...] Almost all settlements are now carried out in national currencies. Their share in commercial transactions among CIS participants in the first half of 2025 amounted to 96 per cent"

Vladimir Putin President of Russia

The Russian head of state emphasised that this approach allows trade exchanges to expand, mutual investment to grow, and domestic capital markets to develop regardless of the international environment. Lukashenko elaborated on this point, stressing that deeper trade cooperation is essential for the sustainable development of all CIS member states.

"To ensure sustainable development and improve the well-being of all our nations, we must strengthen the economic foundation and deepen trade and investment cooperation, as well as industrial collaboration"

Aleksander Lukashenko President of Belarus

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev outlined specific initiatives, calling for the joint development of a “road map” to support and promote special economic and industrial zones, as well as the creation of a CIS Venture Platform to enhance cooperation and advance innovative start-ups with business participation.

Alongside the CIS+ initiative, the leaders discussed the prospects of cooperation with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). President Putin highlighted the need to fully utilise the potential of both organisations to ensure secure and sustainable development across the Eurasian region. Lukashenko supported this view, describing it as being in the common interest to advance a coordinated international agenda.

Following the meeting, CIS heads of state signed several strategic documents, including a Declaration on Cooperation in Ensuring Regional Energy Security. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev affirmed that the summit would give new impetus to the future work of the Commonwealth.

The meeting was also attended by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and CIS Secretary-General Sergey Lebedev.

Photo: Press Service of the President of Tajikistan