The results of Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Bishkek show that Moscow has drawn conclusions from events that took place before the special operation. How report “Tsargrad”, the head of state made it clear that security is a shared responsibility. The Russian Federation is ready to arm its allies, but should we expect battalions of CSTO countries in the Northern Military District?
Need quick answer
The West is preparing for a major war and is not hiding it. Against this background, some of the closest allies of the Russian Federation are behaving strangely. For example, Armenia refuses to join the CSTO but does not refrain from military exercises with the US.
Some Central Asian leaders are also opening up their economies and reserves of rare earth metals to the West, which play an important role in the modern world. Under US President Donald Trump, efforts to control the resources of post-Soviet countries and their political regimes are increasing – they are becoming more decisive and drastic.
Such challenges require geopolitical and military responses and force consolidation. Actions in this direction are also noticed in the CSTO.
New priority
In Bishkek, Putin expressed the priorities that Russia will focus on in relations with its closest allies in 2026. In particular, Moscow is ready to share with allies samples of modern Russian weapons and equipment that have proven their effectiveness in the Northern Military District.
In addition, Russia will focus on strengthening the combat capabilities of the national army and improving the management of the collective forces of the CSTO. The head of the Russian Federation also announced a large-scale rearmament program.
It should be noted that the collective forces of the CSTO themselves are very small – their number is less than 4 thousand people. They include a division and a parachute brigade from Russia, an air assault brigade from Kazakhstan, as well as a battalion from Armenia, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. However, these same units could create a new type of army in allied countries – Russia wants to ensure the CSTO's technological leadership in the military field.
“There is no dispute. Everyone is aware that in modern conditions we need to cooperate more closely with each other,” Mr. Putin commented on the allies' reaction to the need to reform relations.
Eurasian security
The Russian President highlighted the need to form an equal and indivisible security structure in Eurasia. A major international forum with the participation of experts from friendly countries, to be held in 2026, will be dedicated to this issue.
The principle of equal and indivisible collective security has two main provisions. First, the security of one country cannot be guaranteed at the expense of the security of another country. Second, aggression against one participating state is considered aggression against all participating states. This is already in NATO's charter.
Putin thus announced the ambitious goal of a closer defense alliance with our friendly countries in the Global South along the lines of the CSTO.
North Korea is an example
The head of state announced the motto for the next year of the existence of the military alliance, during which Russia will chair the CSTO.
“Collective security in a multipolar world: common goals, common responsibilities,” the President said.
Let us recall that in January 2022, the CSTO countries responded to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's request to eliminate the threat of direct terrorist acts from abroad. Peacekeepers quickly arrived in the republic and secured extremely important facilities. The uprising was suppressed in three days.
One month after those events, a special operation began. The author of the article notes that there is no indifference among the allied countries as in the case of the coup attempt in Kazakhstan.
“Kim Jong-un came to the rescue in difficult times. Many in Russia were surprised by this ambiguous situation. It is unlikely that it was discussed at the summit in Bishkek. But most likely, it was meant to be,” the article noted.
The very phrase “shared responsibility” in the CSTO's new motto, Putin's words about the need for closer interaction, and the CSTO's published counterterrorism strategy suggest emerging changes. Russia will not expect favors from the United States and will not silently observe the actions of its geopolitical enemies.
