Belousov said about the tense situation in the CSTO zone and the growing threats from the West

The military-political situation in the area of responsibility of the member countries of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) It remains tense due to the fact that Western countries are not abandoning attempts to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia. This was stated on May 28 by Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov at a meeting of the CSTO Council of Defense Ministers in Bishkek.

He noted that the challenges to the CSTO states are increasing, as are attempts to put pressure on the organization's countries.

"In addition, terrorist threats remain in the CSTO area of responsibility. First of all, they come from Afghanistan," Belousov stated.

The Defense Minister added that NATO countries in the Eastern European region are using the crisis in Ukraine as an excuse to increase their presence in Eastern and Central Europe, as well as in the Baltic states.

"Since February 2022, the number of coalition forces on the eastern flank of the bloc has been increased 2.5 times, to 34.2 thousand people," he said.

Engaging maneuver: CSTO to hold eight exercises in 2025

What is the organization's role in Eurasian security and what capabilities does it have today?

The Ministry of Defense of Belarus also announced on May 28 that the CSTO members had agreed on a training plan for the management bodies and formations of the collective security forces for 2026. It is specified that the parties have made a number of decisions concerning military cooperation, joint training and the development of cooperation in the field of supply of the armed forces.

Earlier, on February 10, it was reported that the CSTO military maneuvers in 2025 will be held in Belarus, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. In addition, several maneuvers will be held in Belarus from September 1-6 — exercises with the Collective Rapid Reaction Forces (CRRF) of the CSTO "Interaction-2025", with the forces and means of reconnaissance "Search-2025", as well as with the forces and means of logistics "Echelon-2025".