Moscow summit tests Russia’s waning grip on former Soviet allies

What the report says

A Moscow summit of the Collective Security Treaty Organization is highlighting Russia’s shrinking influence over several former Soviet allies, according to Al Jazeera. The meeting, chaired by President Vladimir Putin, comes as Armenia has effectively frozen its participation in the Russia-led security bloc and says its interest in the CSTO has run its course. The article says the dispute reflects broader frustration in Yerevan over what it sees as a lack of meaningful support from the alliance during its conflict with Azerbaijan.

Al Jazeera reports that Armenia’s stance is part of a wider shift in the region, where countries are increasingly seeking independent security ties and new cooperation formats. The piece points to Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Central Asian states working through other arrangements, including drills and partnerships outside the CSTO framework. It also notes that Russia’s war in Ukraine, Western sanctions and battlefield setbacks have weakened Moscow’s leverage and exposed limits in its ability to pressure reluctant partners.

The article says the summit’s main practical focus is expected to be Afghanistan and the security risks it poses for Central Asia. Analysts quoted by Al Jazeera say militant activity there, including Islamic State Khorasan Province, remains a concern for CSTO members, especially along the Afghan-Tajik border. The gathering therefore serves both as a test of Russia’s diplomacy and a reminder that regional security concerns still bind Moscow to the bloc, even as its political grip appears to be loosening.