Russian President Vladimir Putin is hosting a Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) summit in Moscow on November 11, 2026, as the bloc navigates internal friction and the formal transition of its leadership to Tajikistan.
Armenia Questions CSTO Commitment to Collective Defense
The summit unfolds against a backdrop of deteriorating relations between Moscow and Yerevan.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated on November 5 that his country’s interest in the CSTO had run its course.
Relations between Armenia and the alliance deteriorated following the 2020 war over Nagorno-Karabakh, a conflict during which neither Russia nor the other members of the alliance provided military intervention on behalf of Armenia.
Yerevan has since questioned the commitment of the CSTO to collective defense, arguing that the organization failed to meet its security obligations.
The summit may also address the status of Armenia’s membership, as officials will consider whether to strip the nation of its voting rights within the CSTO.
Tajikistan to Assume CSTO Chairmanship
A key administrative outcome of the Moscow meeting is the scheduled transition of the CSTO chairmanship. Tajik President Emomali Rahmon departed for Moscow on November 10 to attend the summit, which is scheduled for November 11 under the chairmanship of President Putin.
Member states are expected to sign approximately 20 documents during the summit. These include a final declaration outlining the collective position and priorities of the member states, and an Anti-Terrorism Strategy through 2030.
This strategy is intended to provide a framework for addressing evolving security challenges and strengthening cooperation against terrorism in the region. Participants are expected to sign an action plan to mark the 25th anniversary of the CSTO and the 35th anniversary of the signing of the Collective Security Treaty.
Security cooperation also remains a priority, with CSTO Secretary General Imangali Tasmagambetov announcing on October 21 that the first phase of an interstate border security program has been completed. Tajikistan has identified equipment suppliers and agreed on order quantities, with initial deliveries expected from Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
Foreign Ministers Address Declining Trust at Moscow Forum
The summit follows a plenary session of the International Forum on Collective Security held in Moscow on November 10, 2026. The forum was attended by CSTO Secretary General Talatbek Masadykov; Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov; Kazakh Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tleuberdi; Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev; Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov; and Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin.
During the forum, Kazakh Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tleuberdi addressed the declining level of trust among states as a challenge to the international order. He emphasized that a stable international order must be based on international law and mutual trust rather than just a balance of power.
In a greeting read by Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk, President Putin called for increasing the organization’s potential due to persisting international tensions. He noted the need for coordination in areas such as countering extremism, cybercrime, drug trafficking, and illegal migration.
The Russian presidency also noted that the meeting includes representatives from military departments, defense industry enterprises, scientists, and experts to assess how modern challenges impact the geopolitical situation in Eurasia.
| Document/Event | Timeline |
|---|---|
| CSTO Anti-Terrorism Strategy | To be signed November 11, 2026 |
| Trilateral Talks (US, Russia, Ukraine) | November 10–11, 2026 |
The CSTO, established in 1992 following the signing of the Collective Security Treaty in Tashkent, currently includes Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Armenia. While the organization aims to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its members, it faces challenges from former members such as Uzbekistan, which left the organization.
