Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for further development of economic, humanitarian and cultural ties among the member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The statement was made on October 9 at the CIS summit in Turkmenistan, amid Moscow’s ongoing efforts to maintain its position in a region where countries are increasingly diversifying their foreign policy and economic relations.

 

According to Putin, Russia’s trade turnover with CIS countries exceeded $110 billion in 2025, with approximately 90% of mutual settlements conducted in national currencies. The Russian president presented these figures as evidence of the resilience of economic cooperation and the ability of CIS member states to expand their engagement despite external restrictions.

The shift towards settlements in national currencies is particularly important for Moscow following the imposition of Western sanctions in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Reducing reliance on the US dollar and the euro enables Russian companies to maintain trade operations amid restricted access to international financial infrastructure. However, the use of national currencies does not, in itself, eliminate risks associated with sanctions, currency instability and the dependence of certain markets on the Russian economy.

For the Kremlin, the CIS remains one of the instruments for preserving economic and political ties with former Soviet republics. However, Moscow’s interest in this format is determined not only by trade volumes but also by its ability to keep the region within Russia’s sphere of influence amid a changing international balance of power.

At the same time, the interests of CIS member states are far from uniform. Countries across the region are seeking to maintain economic relations with Russia while expanding cooperation with the European Union, Turkiye, China and other external partners. Diversifying transport routes, energy supplies and trade relations is becoming a way to reduce dependence on a single direction and expand the scope for independent foreign policy.

This process is particularly significant amid the development of the Middle Corridor, which connects China and Central Asia with Europe via the Caspian Sea, the South Caucasus and Turkiye. The expansion of alternative routes creates additional trade and transit opportunities for countries in the region while intensifying competition between different integration and transport projects.

 

Putin’s call to strengthen ties within the CIS reflects Moscow’s determination to preserve its economic presence and political influence across the post-Soviet space.

#TURKMENISTAN

#RUSSIA

#CIS

#NEWS

10.10.2026 09:28