Some of the key points of Vladimir Putin's opening remarks at the informal summit of the CIS heads of state:

🔸As the chair of the CIS, Russia focused its efforts on promoting the integration within the Eurasian space. Particular attention was paid to supporting economic cooperation, ensuring free trade of goods and services, and eliminating trade barriers.

🔸From January to October this year, Russia's trade with CIS states grew by 10.6 percent, totalling at just over 93 billion dollars. Our countries' macroeconomic performance has also improved considerably: the growth of the combined GDP of the CIS states is projected to reach 4.7 percent by the end of 2024.

🔸Cooperation in the domain of currency and finance is expanding, with domestic independent payment systems seeing more and more use. Over 85 percent of all commercial transactions between CIS states are denominated in national currencies.

🔸The countries of the CIS are increasing cooperation in the fight against extremism, cross-border crime, and drug trafficking.

🔸In 2024, a number of promising projects in education, culture, tourism, and youth policy were implemented within the CIS. Sports exchanges are becoming more expansive, and tournaments of various levels are held regularly.

🔸The CIS states have similar or coinciding stances on key international issues. Additionally, all the countries of the CIS are in favour of creating a just world order built on the universally accepted principles of international law.

🔸The countries of the CIS remember the immortal feat of the peoples of the entire Soviet Union who forged the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, and hold that feat sacred. Beyond paying respects to the veterans who defended our liberty and independence, we must strive to preserve the historical truth about the events of those years.

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Seventh-grader Taisia Leonova spoke on the phone with Vladimir Putin

As part of the New Year Tree of Wishes charity campaign, the President made Taisia's wish come true: together with her mother and brother, she attended a practice of the Igor Moiseyev State Academic Folk Dance Ensemble. Additionally, several other events have been arranged for the Leonovs in Moscow.

In early December, during his appearance at the #WeAreTogether international awards ceremony, the President has once again taken part in the New Year Tree of Wishes campaign, picking three postcard ornaments containing children's wishes.

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The Supreme Eurasian Economic Council meeting carries on in the extended format

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"We became closer": Vladimir Putin recapped the informal summit of the CIS heads of state and the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council

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Emergencies Minister Alexander Kurenkov briefed the President on response and recovery efforts after the federal emergency in the Krasnodar Territory

Current operations of the ministry's departments were also discussed during the meeting, which took place on Rescue Worker's Day.

Vladimir Putin held a briefing session with permanent members of the Security Council via videoconference

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🇷🇺🇦🇿 Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev at the Russian side’s initiative

🔹The presidents had a detailed discussion of issues regarding the December 25 crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan.

🔹Vladimir Putin apologised for the fact that the incident happened in Russian airspace, once again offered deep and sincere condolences to the victims’ families and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. It was noted during the conversation that the Azerbaijani passenger airliner was flying according to schedule and repeatedly tried to land at Grozny Airport. At that time, Ukrainian unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) attacked Grozny, Mozdok and Vladikavkaz, and Russian air defence systems were repelling these attacks.

🔹The Russian Investigative Committee initiated a criminal case under Article 263 of the Criminal Code (violation of the rules for traffic safety and operation of the air transportation systems). Initial investigation is underway, with authorities questioning civilian and military specialists.

🔹Two officials from the Prosecutor General’s Office of Azerbaijan are currently in Grozny, working together with representatives of the Prosecutor General’s Office and the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation. Relevant services of Russia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are working closely at the crash site near the city of Aktau.

🇷🇺🇰🇿 Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on the initiative of the Russian side

🔸The leaders exchanged condolences in connection with the December 25 crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane near the city of Aktau; the plane was carrying Russian and Kazakh citizens on board, among other passengers.

🔸The parties are operating on the premise that Kazakhstan’s government commission which is investigating the details of the accident will bring in experts from Russia, Azerbaijan and Brazil for them to read the flight recorders found at the crash site. This work within the borders of Kazakhstan will be conducted in an objective and transparent manner.

🔸The President of Kazakhstan thanked Vladimir Putin for the hospitality during the informal CIS summit and the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council meeting, both of which were held recently in the Leningrad Region.

🔸The two countries’ leaders will remain constantly in contact on matters related to investigation into the circumstances of a tragic incident involving the Azerbaijani airplane and on important issues of fostering Russia-Kazakhstan cooperation.