A roundtable discussion titled “35 Years of the Commonwealth of Independent States: Achievements, Challenges, and Future Prospects”.
The roundtable was chaired by Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Grigory Karasin.
Participants included senators, First Deputy Chairs of the Committee Vladimir Dzhabarov and Yelena Perminova; Committee members Anna Otke and Ivan Novikov; Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Russian Federation Botirjon Asadov; Chargé d’Affaires of Turkmenistan to the Russian Federation Serdar Durdyev; diplomats from CIS member states: CIS Secretary General Sergei Lebedev; Secretary General of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly Dmitry Kobitsky; Deputy State Secretary of the Standing Committee of the Union State of Russia and Belarus Alexei Kazakov; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Mikhail Galuzin; Deputy Head of Rossotrudnichestvo Kirill Bogomolov; and representatives of the leadership of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO).
Grigory Karasin recalled that a series of events is being held throughout 2026 to mark the 35th anniversary of the CIS, culminating in the anniversary meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of State, scheduled to take place in Ashgabat in October.
“The CIS serves as a constructive alternative to attempts by NATO and the European Union to destabilise the Eurasian region and create artificial conflicts between countries. Legislators representing the peoples of the CIS member states are making a significant contribution to advancing cooperation and integration processes across the Commonwealth. At the same time, our joint efforts hold considerable promise. Much work still lies ahead, and we are ready to undertake it,” Grigory Karasin stated.
He also noted that parliamentarians from CIS member states are actively strengthening both bilateral and multilateral ties, including through cooperation within international organisations such as the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly.
Grigory Karasin also emphasised that the CIS member states are united by a shared commitment to preserving historical memory. “This work is of immense and enduring importance for future generations. That is precisely why joint initiatives aimed at preserving historical truth and passing it on to young people are so significant, including the cultural and educational project Train of Memory, launched at the initiative of the speakers of the upper chambers of the parliaments of Russia and Belarus,” he said. He also addressed the importance of joint efforts to support and promote the Russian language.
At the same time, Grigory Karasin stressed the need for the Commonwealth to continuously improve its work and adapt to evolving circumstances. “The process of building a Greater Eurasian Partnership, which involves developing coordinated and mutually beneficial ties among regional integration associations and states, is becoming increasingly important,” the senator noted.
Sergei Lebedev noted that the Commonwealth of Independent States has evolved into a deeply integrated and mutually beneficial economic and political association that supports the effective development of each of its member states. He also highlighted the special role of the Russian Federation within the Commonwealth. “In today’s circumstances, the role of the Russian Federation as a centre of attraction and a guarantor of the continued development of interstate cooperation within the CIS is becoming even more significant,” the CIS Secretary General stated.
According to Mikhail Galuzin, the Commonwealth must adapt to the profound changes taking place in the international environment and develop new forms of cooperation that reflect current realities. “Our key objectives include further strengthening the CIS as an integration association, expanding cooperation with interested countries and organisations, and enhancing the effectiveness of the Commonwealth and its institutions,” Mikhail Galuzin emphasised.
Dmitry Kobitsky noted that regional cooperation is particularly important amid the ongoing transformation of international relations. “The Eurasian space, with its considerable economic, cultural, and human potential, requires stable mechanisms for coordination and cooperation. It is in this context that the importance of the Commonwealth of Independent States becomes especially evident,” said the Secretary General of the IPA CIS Council.
Summing up the discussion, Grigory Karasin emphasised that the Commonwealth has established itself as an effective platform for promoting friendship, good-neighbourliness, and mutually beneficial cooperation.
“We must not allow external actors, including NATO and the European Union, to interfere in the internal affairs of our countries, destabilise the Eurasian region, or sow discord among the peoples of the Commonwealth,” Grigory Karasin concluded.