Putin Attends Key Eurasian Economic Council and CIS Summits in St. Petersburg

Eurasian Economic Council Convenes in St. Petersburg

Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council meeting on December 21 in St. Petersburg, held at the Yeltsin Presidential Library. The summit brought together leaders from the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member states, including President Aleksandr Lukashenko of Belarus, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan, President Sadyr Zhaparov of Kyrgyzstan, and Bakytzhan Sagintayev, Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission. The meeting also saw the participation of representatives from Uzbekistan, Indonesia, Iran, and Cuba in an expanded format.

Key discussions centered on reviewing the bloc's progress and outlining future integration priorities, with a focus on deepening cooperation and developing the Union's single market. President Putin emphasized that the EAEU has 'solidified its position as an independent and self-sufficient center within the evolving multipolar world,' noting rising combined GDP figures and enhanced economic stability among member states. Topics included progress in payment infrastructure, removal of trade barriers, and improved transport connectivity. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted the EAEU's tenth anniversary, projecting a 2% increase in the union's combined GDP in 2025 and noting that intra-union direct investment had surpassed $20 billion. He also proposed the systematic integration of artificial intelligence technologies into EAEU operations.

Significant Agreements and Future Directions for EAEU

A major outcome of the EAEU summit was the signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the EAEU and Indonesia. This agreement is set to provide tariff preferences covering 90.5 percent of total tariff lines, representing 95.1 percent of the bloc's total import value from Indonesia. Additionally, several other documents were signed, including decisions on:

• Commencing negotiations with Uzbekistan on information exchange for goods and transport.
• Main directions of international activity for 2026.
• Main guidelines for macroeconomic policy for 2026-2027.
• Approving liberalization plans for project management services in the construction sector.
• A concept for tourism development within the EAEU.

It was also confirmed that Kazakhstan will assume the chairmanship of the EAEU in 2026. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan expressed gratitude to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for unblocking cargo transit to Armenia through Azerbaijan, highlighting its strategic importance for regional peace.

Informal CIS Summit Addresses Regional Cooperation and Security

On December 22, President Putin hosted an informal meeting of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) heads of state at the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. Attendees included leaders from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Armenia. Notably, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev did not attend due to a 'busy work schedule.' The leaders reviewed joint work from the past year, outlined priority tasks for the coming year, and exchanged views on current regional and international issues.

Discussions emphasized increasing mutual trade, deepening cooperation in transport, stimulating mutual investment, and supporting joint projects. President Putin highlighted that trade between Russia and the Commonwealth reached almost $90 billion in the first 10 months of the year. The fight against terrorism, extremism, organized crime, drug trafficking, and corruption was identified as a crucial area of cooperation. The leaders also affirmed their support for 'the formation of a just world order based on the universally recognized principles of international law, with the UN playing a central role.' The informal summit, a traditional New Year's gathering, included a cultural program with a tour of the Hermitage Museum.

Bilateral Meetings on the Sidelines

During his time in St. Petersburg, President Putin held several bilateral meetings. He met with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, expressing condolences over a recent terrorist attack. Discussions with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan covered positive bilateral relations, with trade turnover exceeding $11 billion in 2024, and energy and logistics projects. Pashinyan acknowledged the resumption of rail freight between Russia and Armenia via Azerbaijani territory. Putin also met with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to discuss bilateral ties and priority areas of cooperation. It was announced that Turkmenistan will assume the CIS chairmanship on January 1.