An informal meeting of heads of state of the Commonwealth of Independent States has officially begun in Saint Petersburg. The gathering is being held in the St. George Hall of the State Hermitage Museum, one of the world’s most prominent cultural institutions. The launch of the meeting was confirmed by official representatives of the host country.

Prior to the talks, Russian President Vladimir Putin, together with CIS leaders, toured the exhibitions of the Hermitage Museum. The visit included Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Following the cultural program, the heads of state convened in the St. George Hall to begin informal discussions. Turkmenistan’s participation highlighted the country’s consistent engagement in regional dialogue and cooperation within the CIS framework.