Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko emphasized that Russia must hold a central position in shaping the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). This statement was made on September 30 during a meeting with heads of government delegations participating in sessions of the Council of Heads of Government of the Commonwealth and the Union.
Lukashenko noted, “As we always say at meetings of heads of state and former presidents, there are no former ones. However, Nursultan Nazarbayev often stresses that Russia is the center of everything.” He further asserted that Russia should “be at the forefront” to “glue, unite, and prevent the main union from falling apart at this time.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously highlighted the CIS as a key priority for Russian policy on August 29, proposing discussions on cooperation with certain CIS nations and outlining immediate goals for Russia in the region.
