Russia–CIS Trade Exceeded $110 Billion in 2025, Putin Says
Dragon Media News Desk
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia’s trade with Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries exceeded $110 billion in 2025 and grew by a further 12 percent in the first half of this year. He made the remarks on Friday at a restricted-format meeting of CIS heads of state in Turkmenbashi.
Putin said the CIS had established itself over three and a half decades as a respected regional integration association. He credited the organisation with helping preserve and strengthen the economic, social, cultural and humanitarian ties developed by the peoples of the former common state. Cooperation in trade, investment and advanced technology was progressing, though he said it should move faster and become more effective.
CIS countries have developed effective coordination to address financial and economic crimes, money laundering and corruption, Putin said. He also cited joint programmes to combat the criminal use of digital technologies, organised crime, drug trafficking, terrorism and extremism. Russia supports proposed decisions on criminal justice, cybercrime prevention and border security, he added.
Putin said all CIS countries supported a fair multipolar world order based on the principles of international law and the central role of the United Nations. Cooperation among the countries also spans science, education, culture, tourism, healthcare, environmental protection, sports and youth policy.
Describing the Russian language as an important bond across the CIS region, Putin said the International Organisation for the Russian Language began its work in 2026. He also stressed the need to preserve shared history and prevent its falsification, saying young people should learn the truth about achievements during the Soviet era and their ancestors’ contributions in the Great Patriotic War.
Putin said promoting a positive image of the CIS among the public, in the media and internationally was an important task. In keeping with tradition, he invited the leaders to an informal CIS meeting in St. Petersburg on December 21.
