Russian President Vladimir Putin, in Turkmenistan, participated over Dec. 11-12 with leaders from many nations of Central and Western Asia for the Meeting of the International Forum Peace and Trust: Unity of Goals for a Sustainable Future. He was welcomed at the airfield by the event’s host, Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
The roster of 17 attending nations was impressive, with many delegations led by their president or prime minister (full list below).
The occasion was dedicated to the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s proclamation of permanent neutrality, the UN International Year (2025) of Peace and Trust, and the International Day of Neutrality. Over the two-day period, there were many bilateral meetings, and the Ashgabat Declaration, prepared by Turkmenistan, was issued. Concrete economic programs were identified, along with social and cultural goals and plans.
President Putin met with his counterparts from Türkiye, Iran, and Iraq, as well as host Turkmenistan. The International North-South Transport Corridor was of special importance in discussions, along with nuclear energy, the gas and electricity sectors, and the status of the Ukraine-Russia peace process. Putin discussed with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian plans for Russia to work with Iran to expand the Bushehr nuclear power plant, which Russia built, and spoke of space collaboration. Later this month, a Russian Soyuz rocket will carry three Iranian satellites for launch.
After the breakup of the Soviet Union, most of the Central Asian states, together with Armenia and Belarus, moved to build the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan decided not to join, but to declare neutrality. Turkmenistan declared that it would remain neutral, and Neutrality Day is Turkmenistan’s national holiday. This decision prompted the United Nations to declare Dec. 12 as International Neutrality Day.
At times this has led to attempts by the West and NATO to bring these countries into an anti-Russian position. But economics trumped geopolitics, and, at this point, both Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are working closely with Russia, with Uzbekistan now cooperating militarily with Russia.
In his address to the Forum’s plenary session, Putin said: “With the active participation of Russia and Turkmenistan, large-scale multilateral economic initiatives are being implemented, including in the Caspian region and Central Asia. The construction of the North-South international transport corridor is underway, bilateral interregional contacts are progressing steadily, and exchanges in cultural, humanitarian, and educational spheres are growing. Particularly noteworthy is the fact that more than 54,000 students from Turkmenistan are currently studying in Russia.
“Our countries are engaged in integration processes within the Commonwealth of Independent States. In 2026, Turkmenistan will assume the CIS Chairmanship.”
The attending nations included: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Türkiye, Iraq, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Myanmar, Russia, China, Eswatini, and São Tomé and Príncipe. Directors of various international organizations also attended, including the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the United Nations, the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), and more.
