In brief
On November 9, the Kremlin announced that President Vladimir Putin will chair a CSTO summit in Moscow on November 11. Discussions will cover cooperation, strengthening the collective security system, urgent international issues and signing multilateral documents. The council will also adopt a decision to transfer the CSTO chairmanship from Russia to Tajikistan on January 1, 2027.
On November 9, Moscow, the Kremlin announced that President Vladimir Putin will chair a session of the Collective Security Council of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) on November 11. According to the announcement, the summit will focus on cooperation measures and steps to further strengthen the CSTO’s collective security framework, while addressing urgent international and regional matters.
According to the Kremlin press service, discussions are planned on key aspects of cooperation and measures to further strengthen the CSTO's collective security system, as well as urgent international and regional issues, the statement said.
"Discussions are planned on key aspects of cooperation and measures to further strengthen the CSTO's collective security system, as well as urgent international and regional issues," the statement said.
The press service also noted that the summit will include "the signing of a number of multilateral documents" and the adoption of a decision "on the transfer of the organization's chairmanship from Russia to Tajikistan effective January 1, 2027."
"the signing of a number of multilateral documents" and the adoption of a decision "on the transfer of the organization’s chairmanship from Russia to Tajikistan effective January 1, 2027."
This move marks the scheduled end of Russia’s chairmanship within the CSTO, a key Eurasian defence alliance that includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. The transfer to Tajikistan is part of a rotating system that aims to balance influence among member states.
At the summit, leaders from all CSTO member countries will convene in Moscow’s Victory Palace. Officials emphasise that the gathering seeks to strengthen collective defense mechanisms against potential external threats and to foster deeper military cooperation among allies.
Several experts note that the scheduled change of chairmanship might influence the alliance's strategic priorities. While Russia will remain a decisive voice in CSTO affairs, the new chairmanship could shift focus toward Tajikistan’s security concerns and the geopolitically sensitive regions of Central Asia.
International analysts observe that the CSTO summit represents a continuation of Russia’s broader diplomatic engagement in the region. By chairing the meeting, President Putin maintains a high public profile on Moscow’s electronic and terrestrial media platforms, underscoring Russia’s commitment to regional security initiatives.
In the months leading up to November 11, the staff of the Collective Security Council will conduct preparatory meetings across member states to finalize the multilateral documents that will be signed during the summit. These documents, according to officials, are expected to cover joint training exercises, information‑sharing protocols, and coordinated responses to security incidents.
Meanwhile, the CSTO’s Security Council also plans to adopt a joint statement on urgent international developments, including recent geopolitical tensions that have impacted the Caucasus and Central Asian regions. The statement will likely address issues such as border security, counter‑terrorism, and the management of cyber threats.
As the summit concludes on November 11, the Collective Security Council is scheduled to adopt a decision transferring the chairmanship to Tajikistan. The transition is slated to take effect on January 1, 2027, aligning with Tajikistan’s own domestic political cycle and the CSTO's agenda for rotating leadership.
While the announcement from Moscow confirms the final date and venue, it does not yet specify the exact participants from each member country. However, preliminary reports suggest that senior defence, foreign policy, and interior ministry officials will attend, representing their respective governments.
In summary, the upcoming CSTO summit on November 11 will see President Putin preside over a forum that underscores cooperation among member states, the signing of new multilateral agreements, and the formal transfer of the council’s chairmanship to Tajikistan in 2027. The event reflects Russia’s ongoing role in stabilising Eurasian security dynamics while paving the way for a new leadership trajectory within the CSTO framework.
