The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) must be constantly adapted to changing security challenges and threats. This was stated by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko at the CSTO summit in Bishkek, according to a BELTA correspondent.

"The CSTO must be constantly adapted to changing security challenges and threats so that it can respond to them in a timely and maximally effective manner. With the military component, anti-crisis tools, and the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking, we seem to have a system in place," the head of state said.

Alexander Lukashenko noted that cooperation in the field of cybersecurity is also developing. He thanked the Kyrgyz side for hosting the CSTO conference on this topic.

"In the current security configuration of the Eurasian space, the CSTO remains relevant. The CSTO is needed. The demand for our organization is confirmed by the dynamic development of all its components - military-political, military-technical, and in the fight against transnational threats," the President stated.

Alexander Lukashenko considers the start of work on further improving the organization's conceptual documents to be extremely important. "We hope that it will be continued in the near future," he said.

The head of state stated that multilateral arms control mechanisms have either been completely destroyed or have lost their effectiveness due to confrontation and lack of trust.

"Military risks and threats are growing along the perimeter of the CSTO borders, especially on the western flank of the organization, where an adequate and stable situation should seemingly be maintained. The situation is like a besieged fortress in which Belarus lives today," the President said.

The President noted that the combined defense spending of NATO countries in 2025 will be around $1.6 trillion. Germany's military ambitions are growing, as it intends to significantly increase its military spending. Poland, in turn, will allocate almost $55 billion for defense in 2026 (about 5% of GDP) and will become a NATO leader in this indicator. The number of its armed forces has already exceeded 200,000 people. The Baltic states are not far behind Warsaw in terms of growth rate.

"European countries are actually putting their economies on a war footing, increasing investments in the defense industry, and expanding arms production. We in the CSTO must react to this, and we are reacting," the head of state said.

"In addition to building up military potential, our neighbors are actively promoting a policy of isolation and dividing lines. The spectrum is the widest – from illegal economic sanctions to closed skies and closed borders," the head of state said. "At the same time, we are for dialogue. And we demonstrate this in our policy. Honest, open, without ultimatums and preconditions."

Alexander Lukashenko recalled that during Belarus's presidency in the CSTO in 2023, Belarus initiated the Minsk International Conference on Eurasian Security, offering a platform for building bridges and finding compromise solutions to overcome disagreements in the region. "The OSCE is not working. The heads of state could have gathered long ago and discussed this issue. But someone doesn't want to," the Belarusian leader noted.

"This is artificial intelligence; unmanned aerial vehicles and lethal autonomous weapons systems with self-learning algorithms; cyberterrorism; ensuring the security of vital energy infrastructure, primarily nuclear and hydroelectric power plants; and finally, the issue of border closure for the movement of goods and people. These issues concern all CSTO member states," the President emphasized.

"As for Belarus, yes, I see, and today, based on the reaction of all CSTO members, we support the efforts of Vladimir Putin, the Russian Federation, in responding to the US proposal for peace and a peace treaty in Ukraine. We very much hope that this will happen. Naturally, certain forces in Europe, as we see it, need to abandon confrontation," the Belarusian leader stated.

"But I don't understand how they will abandon it if they spend such huge amounts of money on armament and rearmament. The process has been launched. But I think both the US and Russia will be able to stop this process by reaching an agreement with the Ukrainians on a peace treaty," Alexander Lukashenko added.

"I emphasize again: we support your (Russia's. - BELTA's note) efforts for a peace treaty with Ukraine. I said yesterday: if the Americans behave like diplomats and real lawyers, this treaty will be agreed upon. Since the main points have already been agreed upon," the Belarusian leader stated.

"Now, as we say, the ball is on the Ukrainian side. And I think that in connection with the events unfolding on the front, Ukraine will go for this peace treaty. Otherwise, it will lose the country completely," Alexander Lukashenko added. 

"To the Russian Federation, to you, Vladimir Vladimirovich (Putin. - Ed. BELTA), I wish you a successful chairmanship in 2026," Alexander Lukashenko said.

As reported, Russian President Vladimir Putin at the CSTO summit outlined the priorities for the upcoming period of Russia's chairmanship in the organization. The chairmanship will be held under the motto "Collective Security in a Multipolar World: A Common Goal - Common Responsibility." "Russia will do everything to maintain continuity in the main areas of interaction within the CSTO and to develop cooperation between our states on the principles of genuine alliance, friendship and good neighborliness, respect and consideration of each other's interests, mutual assistance and support," said the President of Russia.

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