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- Negotiation background: what Putin discussed in Ashgabat with the leaders of several countries
Negotiation background: what Putin discussed in Ashgabat with the leaders of several countries
The United Nations, established 80 years ago, is still honourably fulfilling its mission: it often remains the only mechanism to ensure a balance of interests in the world. Vladimir Putin stated this on December 12 at the International Forum of Peace and Trust in Ashgabat. According to him, Turkmenistan has made a significant contribution to strengthening international stability over the 30th anniversary of its neutrality. The Russian President began his visit to the republic in the early morning at about 04:00. Since that moment, he has managed not only to work at the peace forum with the participation of a dozen and a half leaders and heads of government, but also to discuss the agenda of Moscow and Ashgabat, as well as to hold several bilateral talks. Why this visit to Turkmenistan is special for Putin and what other countries think about maintaining a balance of interests in the world is in the Izvestia article.
Putin's last foreign visit in 2025
On December 12, Russian President Vladimir Putin's last visit abroad in 2025 took place. On this day, Turkmenistan celebrates an important date in its history — the 30th anniversary of the declaration of neutrality, and the Russian leader was invited to the celebrations on this occasion. Exactly three decades ago, the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution formalizing the status of a neutral state.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived at the International Airport in Ashgabat. On the left: Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Khojamyrat Geldimyradov
The flight carrying Putin arrived in Ashgabat in the early morning at about 04:00 local time (about 02:00 Moscow time), landing at the presidential terminal of the capital's airport, better known as the "Little Bird". There he was personally met by Chairman of the People's Council of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the former leader of the republic and father of the current President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov. The politicians exchanged a firm handshake and a friendly hug.: Immediately at the terminal, the politicians discussed some issues of bilateral relations and had a one-on-one conversation about the path of Turkmenistan's neutrality and further partnership. However, not forgetting about the time.
— It's so late! You're not sleeping! — Vladimir Putin remarked.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chairman of the People's Council of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov during a meeting in Ashgabat
"I don't sleep when such guests come," Berdymukhamedov Sr. responded. — On behalf of the President and on my own behalf, I would like to thank you for accepting our invitation to take part in the festive celebrations.
In fact, Vladimir Putin's official program in Turkmenistan started immediately after a short break. First of all, the Russian president, accompanied by other heads of state — Turkish Leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan and some heads of CIS countries — took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Monument of Turkmenistan's Neutrality in Ashgabat. This is one of the main attractions of the city: the composition consists of three pylons that support a multi-level structure with a height of 83 m.
What the leaders said at the International Peace Forum
However, the central point of the program is a forum dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust, the International Day of Neutrality and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality. In addition to Vladimir Putin, a dozen and a half other leaders and heads of government came here. In fact, all the presentations of the participants were devoted to the issue of achieving harmony in the international space.
Plenary session of the international forum on "Peace and Trust: Unity of goals for a sustainable future" at the Congress Center of Turkmenistan in Ashgabat
Serdar Berdimuhamedov was the first to take the floor. At the welcoming ceremony, the President of Turkmenistan specifically switched to Russian. In his speech, he mainly referred to the United Nations, with which Turkmenistan plans to expand cooperation. The neutral status of the Turkmen state has a constructive effect on ensuring international and regional stability and security, the President stressed.
President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov at the plenary session of the international forum on "Peace and Trust: Unity of goals for a sustainable future" at the Congress Center of Turkmenistan in Ashgabat
Other leaders also shared their thoughts on how to achieve mutual understanding between different countries. President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, for example, proposed to hold an international humanitarian forum "Dialogue of Cultures" in 2026 in Tashkent with the participation of creative teams, scientists and writers. Another option is to launch regional Youth for Peace and Trust programs to involve the generation "in the peace—building process" through educational, cultural, and volunteer initiatives. By the way, Uzbekistan, as the future chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement, plans to declare 2027 the year of preventive diplomacy to support conflict resolution efforts. President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon also spoke about the weakening of the norms of international law faced by the world community. He stressed that simultaneously with the growth of threats and challenges to security, the pace of economic and social development is decreasing.
President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the welcoming ceremony of the heads of delegations participating in the International Forum at the Congress Center of Turkmenistan in Ashgabat
Of course, the peace forum was not without its discussion of today's conflicts. Thus, Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on the international community to actively support the settlement in the Gaza Strip and called for the participation of Palestinians in all stages of the peace process. Kazakh Leader Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Iraqi President Abdel Latif Rashid expressed support for efforts to resolve the crisis in Ukraine as soon as possible.
What did Putin talk about at the Ashgabat forum?
Vladimir Putin also devoted his speech to problem-solving mechanisms in world affairs. The Russian president spoke immediately after Serdar Berdimuhamedov. He stressed that Turkmenistan is making a significant contribution to strengthening international security and stability in order to create an atmosphere of cooperation and trust. In this context, he highly appreciated the draft Ashgabat Declaration prepared by his colleagues, which is the result of the joint work of the forum. The Russian Federation supported this document and its commitment to the key principles of international relations enshrined in the UN Charter.
Russian President Vladimir Putin at the plenary session of the international forum on "Peace and Trust: Unity of Goals for a sustainable future" at the Congress Center of Turkmenistan in Ashgabat
—Created 80 years ago, it (the UN organization — Izvestia) is still honourably fulfilling its mission and is in fact a unique, often the only mechanism that allows for an international balance of interests," the Russian leader pointed out. — And, most importantly, to find coordinated solutions to difficult problems, taking into account the positions and opinions of all parties.
It is significant that Turkmenistan has not really been involved in any regional conflict for the past 30 years. The country has amended the constitution and made neutrality the mainstay of its entire sovereignty, Stanislav Tkachenko, Doctor of Economics, Professor at St. Petersburg State University, expert at the Valdai Club, recalled.
Russian President Vladimir Putin at the ceremony of photographing the heads of delegations participating in the International Forum at the Congress Center of Turkmenistan in Ashgabat
— A Russian visit at such a high level — the president flew — is, of course, unprecedented. The event itself has no special political significance, but it is very important for us to send a signal that we consider the model of Turkmenistan's foreign policy to be potentially universal for many states in troubled areas from the point of view of security. I believe Vladimir Putin's main message is that neutrality is an ideal solution for states in geopolitical hot spots, as it allows them to engage in domestic politics and develop economic relations," the expert said.
By the way, the visit may have symbolic significance for Vladimir Putin himself: Turkmenistan became one of the first countries he went to in 2000 after assuming the post of head of state (the first was Uzbekistan). In total, the president visited the country about ten times.
Who did the Russian President negotiate with?
Traditionally, bilateral negotiations at various forums take on the status of summits, where leaders take the opportunity to personally discuss issues of concern to them. Therefore, Vladimir Putin's program included meetings with several other leaders. Serdar Berdimuhamedov opened a series of negotiations. According to the Russian president, Ashgabat's policy of neutrality helps bilateral relations between Russia and Turkmenistan. Much has already been done, and "more can be done," he noted.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov during a meeting in Ashgabat
Today, Moscow and Ashgabat actually have no serious economic problems, including due to the same policy of neutrality, Stanislav Tkachenko noted. Moreover, Turkmenistan, as a gas superpower, has excellent economic prospects, including due to its good geographical location, the expert believes.
"And since Turkmenistan is perhaps the only one in the post—Soviet space that has managed to go through a conflict—free generational change from one president to another, this suggests that everything will be calm there for the next decade, including relations with Moscow," he said.
Next, the plan is to communicate with Iranian President Masoud Peseshkian, although the leaders met not so long ago — on September 1 at the SCO summit in China. However, the new meeting lasted about an hour. In the open part of the talks, the presidents discussed, in particular, the construction of the North–South railway. The Iranian authorities have already bought more than 100 km of the 160-kilometer section of the Rasht–Astara road between the Islamic Republic and Azerbaijan, hoping to complete the work by March 2026. This section will provide through passage to the ports of the Persian Gulf.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during a meeting in Ashgabat
Moscow and Tehran are also discussing possible cooperation in the fields of gas, electricity and agriculture. Meanwhile, the trade turnover increased by 13% in 2024, and by another 8% in the first three quarters of 2025. The two countries are also in close contact on all international issues, including the Iranian nuclear program.
In September, Vladimir Putin met with Recep Tayyip Erdogan in China. After that, the leaders spoke on the phone twice, and now they decided to talk again in Ashgabat. It is noteworthy that the leaders did not make public statements before the start of the negotiations: at the same time, they were held both with the participation of delegations and face-to-face. After that, Vladimir Putin also spoke with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. Later it became known that Putin and Erdogan exchanged views on the Ukrainian issue and agreed that the Europeans' attempts to seize Russian assets would lead to the breakdown of the foundations of the international financial system.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a meeting in Ashgabat
Meanwhile, Turkey is waiting for the commissioning of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant, which is being built by Rosatom. However, it is not known when the leaders themselves are waiting for each other to "visit". Erdogan has a permanent invitation to Russia, as well as Putin to Turkey, and, of course, if possible, they will be implemented, said Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
