Putin Stresses CIS Unity on Security Amidst Europe Tensions Over Ukraine War

• Russian President Vladimir Putin highlighted close security cooperation among CIS countries at an informal summit in St. Petersburg.
• He emphasized the fight against terrorism, extremism, organized crime, drug trafficking, and corruption as key areas of collaboration.
• Putin noted well-established practical coordination and operative contacts between security agencies within the CIS.
• Action plans, including an anti-terrorist plan until 2028 and an outer border control plan until 2030, are actively being implemented.
• This focus on CIS unity comes as Russia faces diplomatic isolation from much of Europe due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Why It Matters: Putin uses CIS summit to project regional stability and influence amid Western tensions over Ukraine.