INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Russian President Vladimir Putin provided symbolic rings to the leaders of the numerous previous Soviet republics that now make up the
Moscow-dominated Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) at a casual top in St
Petersburg on Monday evening.The summit was held versus the backdrop of Russias intrusion of Ukraine, which has actually caused a crisis in
both Russias relations with the West and within the CIS itself
We need to admit, unfortunately, that arguments also develop between the member states of the Commonwealth, Putin said in an unusual public
acknowledgment of the simmering stress within the group
The main point, nevertheless, is that we are all set and will cooperate
And even if any problematic problems occur, we strive to solve them ourselves, together, jointly, providing each other with comradely
assistance and mediation, the Russian president continued.Each of the leaders attending the meeting existed with a gold-coloured ring with
New Years greetings etched on it, although only Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko put Putins present on his finger immediately, it
was reported.While the Kremlins invasion of Ukraine on 24 Feb
has left Russia sensation isolated and under pressure globally, Putin has been using every chance he needs to shore up Russias decreasing
impact over the former Soviet republics
According to Putin, the leaders discussed cooperation in the field of economy, culture, and security.The cordial scenes in St
Petersburg are a significant contrast to the tension apparent within the group in November, when Armenias leader Nikol Pashinyan declined to
sign the joint communique provided by the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) military alliance amidst growing
wariness about being seen as a Putin ally on the worldwide phase.
