Russian President Vladimir Putin provided symbolic rings to the leaders of the numerous previous Soviet republics that now make up the Moscow-dominated Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) at a casual top in St.
Petersburg on Monday evening.The summit was held versus the backdrop of Russias intrusion of Ukraine, which has actually caused a crisis in both Russias relations with the West and within the CIS itself.
We need to admit, unfortunately, that arguments also develop between the member states of the Commonwealth, Putin said in an unusual public acknowledgment of the simmering stress within the group.
The main point, nevertheless, is that we are all set and will cooperate.
And even if any problematic problems occur, we strive to solve them ourselves, together, jointly, providing each other with comradely assistance and mediation, the Russian president continued.Each of the leaders attending the meeting existed with a gold-coloured ring with New Years greetings etched on it, although only Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko put Putins present on his finger immediately, it was reported.While the Kremlins invasion of Ukraine on 24 Feb.
has left Russia sensation isolated and under pressure globally, Putin has been using every chance he needs to shore up Russias decreasing impact over the former Soviet republics.
According to Putin, the leaders discussed cooperation in the field of economy, culture, and security.The cordial scenes in St.
Petersburg are a significant contrast to the tension apparent within the group in November, when Armenias leader Nikol Pashinyan declined to sign the joint communique provided by the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) military alliance amidst growing wariness about being seen as a Putin ally on the worldwide phase.