A meeting between Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Belarus, Nazarguly Shagulyev, and new Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the CIS statutory bodies, Alexander Lukashevich, took place in Minsk. The dialogue focused on the priorities of Ashgabat's chairmanship of the Commonwealth and preparations for the 35th anniversary of Turkmenistan's independence.

The meeting at the Turkmen diplomatic mission in Belarus was more than just an introductory meeting—the new Russian Permanent Representative, Alexander Lukashevich, chose the Embassy of Turkmenistan for one of his first official visits. This underscores Ashgabat's special role in the current CIS architecture, where Turkmenistan will chair the CIS in 2026.

During the conversation, Nazarguly Shagulyev revealed to his colleague the profound symbolism of the national motto for 2026: "Independent, Neutral Turkmenistan – the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses."

It was noted that for Turkmenistan, as the CIS chair, the image of the Akhal-Teke horse is not just a metaphor, but a reflection of the country's foreign policy style: nobility, swiftness, and loyalty to traditions, while being open to dialogue. These principles form the basis of all commemorative events planned for this year in honor of the 35th anniversary of Turkmenistan's state independence.

The diplomats discussed a wide range of international cooperation issues, focusing on strengthening ties between Turkmenistan and Russia at key CIS venues to ensure regional stability.

Alexander Lukashevich congratulated the Turkmen side on the upcoming 35th anniversary of independence, confirming Russia's readiness to actively support the implementation of Ashgabat's large-scale initiatives within the Commonwealth, and expressed support for long-term projects that will become the hallmark of Turkmenistan's chairmanship.

The Minsk dialogue confirmed that in 2026, Turkmenistan will act not simply as a platform for negotiations, but as an initiator of a qualitative renewal of partnership within the CIS, uniting historical heritage and ambitious plans for the future.