On July 15, 2026, the High-Level Regional Meeting “Enhancing Capacities to Prevent the Supply of Weapons to Terrorists in Central Asia” was held in Moscow, organized by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism with the participation of the Russian side.
On July 14, 2026, a working meeting was held at the CSTO Secretariat between CSTO Deputy Secretary General Valery Semerikov and UN Assistant Secretary-General Alexander Zuev.
From July 7 to 9, second staff talks were held in the Russian Federation on the organization and conduct of the CSTO Collective Rapid Reaction Forces (CRRF) command-and-staff exercise “Interaction-2026”, the special reconnaissance exercise “Poisk-2026”, and the logistics support exercise “Echelon-2026”.
In accordance with the 2026 Action Plan of the Coordinating Council of Heads of the Competent Authorities for Countering Illicit Drug Trafficking of the CSTO Member States, and as part of the Russian Federation's priorities during its 2026 CSTO Chairmanship, the sub-regional counter-narcotics operation “Kanal – Amber Coast” was conducted from June 29 to July 3, 2026. The operation was aimed at disrupting trafficking routes for narcotic drugs, their precursors and analogues, new psychoactive substances, and potent substances into the CSTO area of responsibility, neutralizing international transnational drug trafficking groups, dismantling clandestine drug production facilities, undermining the economic foundations of the drug trade, including the laundering of drug proceeds.
A meeting took place between CSTO Secretary General Talatbek Masadykov and Minister of Defense of Russia Andrey Belousov
09.02.2026
On 9 February 2026, a meeting took place in Moscow between CSTO Secretary General Talatbek Masadykov and Minister of Defense of Russia, Chairman of the CSTO Council of Defense Ministers Andrey Belousov.
The interlocutors exchanged views on political and security issues within the Organization’s area of responsibility and along its borders, and also held an in-depth discussion on strengthening the CSTO’s military potential.
Talatbek Masadykov informed Andrey Belousov about the progress in implementing the joint training activities planned for the current year.
During the meeting, approaches of the Ministry of Defense of Russia to the implementation of the priorities of Russia’s CSTO chairmanship in 2026 were considered.
“Under the conditions of a complex military and political environment, it is important to continue efforts to ensure the Organization’s readiness to respond adequately to emerging challenges and threats,” the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation emphasized.
Andrey Belousov also congratulated Talatbek Masadykov on his appointment as CSTO Secretary General and expressed confidence that his tenure in this position would contribute to the further strengthening of the Organization.
“I wish you success in your future activities for the benefit of strengthening the CSTO,” he added.
