St. Petersburg, December 22 | ORIENT. President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov took part in an informal meeting of the heads of state of the CIS member states, which took place in the St. George Hall of the State Hermitage Museum.

Before the meeting, the CIS leaders, including President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, toured the Hermitage exhibition. A tour of one of the world's greatest museums set the tone for the meeting—an emphasis on shared humanitarian values and the preservation of cultural heritage.

At the summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin, summing up the year, expressed support for Serdar Berdimuhamedov in his upcoming mission as Chairman of the Commonwealth, noting Ashgabat's exceptional role in strengthening good-neighborliness and security in Eurasia.

"I wish success to Serdar Gurbangulyevich Berdimuhamedov and all our Turkmen colleagues, who will assume the Commonwealth presidency on January 1. We are ready to provide you with all necessary assistance," the Russian leader stated.

During his speech, the Russian President outlined key figures and areas for developing cooperation within the Commonwealth.

In the context of Turkmenistan's CIS chairmanship, the following points can be highlighted:

It was noted that the share of national currencies in settlements between CIS countries has exceeded a record 96%, creating a reliable foundation for business and cross-border transactions.

The modernization of the North-South and East-West routes remains the core of integration. Given the development of the Turkmenbashi port, Ashgabat is effectively becoming the gateway to new Eurasian transport chains.

Emphasis was placed on import substitution and digitalization—areas in which Turkmenistan is actively building capacity within the framework of national development programs.

A significant portion of Putin's speech was devoted to the fight against common challenges (terrorism, drug trafficking) and the significance of the 80th anniversary of Victory Day. It was emphasized that the CIS countries advocate for a just world order with a central role for the UN—a principle that underpins the foreign policy of neutral Turkmenistan.

The informal summit in St. Petersburg confirmed that Turkmenistan enters 2026 not just as a participant, but as a leader and ideologist of integration processes within the CIS. The upcoming chairmanship will allow Ashgabat to take its initiatives in energy, transport, and environmental diplomacy to a new level.