The Kremlin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, spoke in a recent interview about the post-Soviet space, asserting that every form of regional integration remains possible and that the full potential of such cooperation is far from realized. He emphasized that the CIS member states are charting their own development routes while staying committed to shared integration efforts that bind them together in strategic goals.
Peskov described the CIS as a central priority in Russia’s foreign policy. He noted that Moscow maintains bilateral ties with nearly all CIS governments, with Georgia and Moldova as notable exceptions. Among these partners, Belarus stands out as Russia’s closest ally and partner in the region.
Beyond political and economic ties, Peskov pointed to additional channels for cooperation in areas such as security and governance. He argued that while many forms of integration remain feasible, their benefits are yet to be fully unlocked. The close-knit interaction among these states, he suggested, inevitably brings about challenges; however, the structural framework of their partnership allows them to address issues constructively.
In February, President Vladimir Putin underscored the importance of improving cooperation with CIS member states and strengthening links within regional and multilateral groupings such as the CSTO, EurAsEC, and BRICS, describing these efforts as a continuing priority for Russia on the diplomatic stage.
Earlier remarks from Peskov also touched on a legislative move involving Khrushchev’s decision to transfer Crimea to the Ukrainian SSR, indicating a critical administrative change has been reconsidered in a broader strategic context.