6651705 16.09.2021 Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a session of the Collective Security Council of the Collective Security Treaty Organization held in Dushanbe, via videoconference, in the Novo-Ogaryovo, outside Moscow, Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that Moscow is ready to share its latest military technology and equipment with partners in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). Speaking at a defense summit, Putin emphasized that the geopolitical landscape requires a unified front and that strengthening the defensive capabilities of allies like Belarus and Kazakhstan is a priority for regional stability. The offer reportedly includes advanced air defense systems and drone technology that have been tested in combat conditions.
The announcement is seen as a direct response to the expanding NATO footprint in Eastern Europe. By bolstering the arsenals of CSTO members, the Kremlin aims to create a more robust buffer zone and deter what it describes as Western aggression. Putin highlighted that this cooperation goes beyond mere sales, involving joint production initiatives and technology transfers that will modernize the military industrial complexes of member states.
Security analysts warn that this proliferation of advanced weaponry could alter the balance of power in Central Asia and the Caucasus. While the stated goal is collective defense, the move effectively binds these nations tighter to Moscow’s sphere of influence, potentially limiting their diplomatic maneuverability with the West and China. The US State Department has already expressed concern, urging CSTO nations to consider the long-term implications of deepening military reliance on Russia.
