In the wake of an informal summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States, top leaders gathered in St. Petersburg, setting the stage for fresh dialogues on regional cooperation. Among the attendees were Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev and Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who greeted one another with a handshake that signified a momentary pause in long-running tensions. The exchange was captured by reporters and highlighted in coverage from RIA News, underscoring the enduring seriousness with which these leaders approach dialogue within the CIS framework.
The sequence of greetings underscored the ritual cadence often seen at high-level gatherings: Aliyev first extended a nod to the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, followed by courteous acknowledgments of several other CIS heads before turning to Pashinyan. The choreography of such moments is frequently observed by international watchers, as it provides a glimpse into the dynamics at play behind closed doors during multilateral engagements.
Observers noted a contrast in travel choices among the participants. Unlike some peers who arrived in notable luxury motorcars, Aliyev’s entry style was described in broadcasts as being distinct, while a subset of participants reportedly preferred the Russian premium automobile brand Aurus for their official movements. In this context, the vehicle choices became a talking point about logistical arrangements and symbolic signaling at the summit in Pavlovsk, with Tokayev’s Mercedes noted as a contrasting choice for the Kazakh leader.
The summit kicked off on December 26 in St. Petersburg, inviting heads of state from Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Putin extended invitations to a broad regional circle, inviting participants to the events staged across the city, including palace and park precincts that characterize St. Petersburg’s ceremonial settings. The format allowed participants to engage in informal exchanges, while formal sessions were arranged to facilitate more structured discussions away from the public eye.
As conversations unfolded, Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, acknowledged the value of direct dialogue between Pashinyan and Aliyev within the broader CIS context. Their presence at the summit underscored the ongoing focus on security, economic cooperation, and regional stability. In this environment, both leaders took part in the broader program, including one-on-one discussions and joint sessions that sought to map paths toward pragmatic solutions on shared concerns. The participants’ willingness to engage in constructive dialogue highlights the role of the CIS as a platform for sustained engagement among neighbor states, particularly in matters related to energy, transport, and cross-border cooperation.