Putin pointed to Russia's commitment to strengthening the CSTO

Russia is firmly committed to strengthening the authority of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). Russian President Vladimir Putin said this at a meeting with the chairmen of parliaments of the organization's member states on 9 December.

"We are firmly committed to the task of strengthening the organization, increasing its authority in the role of ensuring peace and stability throughout the vast Eurasian space," Putin said.

He emphasized that the interaction of the CSTO countries is built in the spirit of cooperation, combat brotherhood and mutual assistance.

The Russian President also stressed that commemorative events on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War will be held in all member states of the organization.

"It is important that the CSTO member states are actively working together to preserve the historical truth, the memory of the cost of our victory over Nazism," the head of state said.

He also said that the Russian Federation is waiting for the leaders of the CSTO countries in Moscow on May 9, 2025 and invites military units of these states to participate in the parade.

Russia celebrates the Day of Heroes of the Fatherland on December 9. Every year on this day people who have dedicated themselves to serving the Motherland and have been awarded high state awards are honored. In 2024, the celebration falls on Monday.

Earlier in the day, Russian Permanent Representative to the CSTO Viktor Vasilyev said that NATO is stockpiling armed forces on the borders of Russia and Belarus with the potential to deploy systems for nuclear weapons. On December 4, Secretary General of the organization Imangali Tasmagambetov noted that an invasion of the North Atlantic Alliance in the western borders of Russia and Belarus would be an absolutely reckless step on the part of NATO.

Prior to that, November 29, Polish agency PAP reported that NATO military exercises TUMAK-24 started in Poland , they are held 70 km from the border with Russia.

The head of the Russian Defense Ministry Andrei Belousov on October 23 drew attention to the fact that NATO states in 2024 held a series of exercises, which have become the largest since the end of the Cold War period. During these drills, the bloc's military practiced potential scenarios of a large-scale conflict with Russia. The minister added that the alliance was also expanding its combat training and intelligence activities.