Block to help: CSTO puts on cooperation with Uzbekistan

The CSTO is ready to involve Uzbekistan in the creation of a new Eurasian security system, Secretary General of the organization Taalatbek Masadykov told "Izvestia". Tashkent can be involved in its work through partnership and monitoring mechanisms. Although Uzbekistan suspended its membership in the CSTO in 2012, contacts have now noticeably intensified. This can help the Republic in the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan, and the association can strengthen its presence in the region.

Why is the CSTO going to expand cooperation with Uzbekistan

The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) plans to strengthen its position in Central Asia. To do this, the association wants to expand cooperation with non-aligned countries, in particular with Uzbekistan, CSTO Secretary General Taalatbek Masadykov told "Izvestia".

Photo: RIA Novosti/Stanislav Krasilnikov

— In the regional context, the CSTO promotes the idea of a broad political dialogue with the aim of building a new architecture of Eurasian security based on mutual trust and respect for the interests of all countries in the region. We see great prospects for this work both with Uzbekistan and with many other countries and associations in the region," he said.

Uzbekistan suspended its membership in the CSTO in 2012, opposing the collective formats of the organization, and preferred bilateral cooperation, said Nikolai Bordyuzha, then Secretary General of the CSTO. According to him, Tashkent has finally decided not to participate in any military-political blocs.

However, now the contacts have noticeably intensified. Since 2018, the organization has been operating partnership mechanisms for attracted non-aligned countries. Observer status gives the right to participate in meetings and get acquainted with the work without obligations for joint operations, and partner status provides for participation in practical events. Currently, Tashkent does not have any of these statuses, but in the future they can be used, Masadykov explained.

"Of course, the legal framework of the institute of partnership and supervision can be used to implement joint efforts," he said.

According to him, representatives of Uzbek law enforcement agencies have already been invited as observers to the CSTO exercises.

Photo: RIA Novosti/Igor Egorov

On September 12, the "Frontier-2026" maneuvers will start in Kazakhstan with the participation of more than 5,000 military personnel and over 1,000 pieces of equipment. """"60 events" """ are planned for 2026, including eight command and staff exercises and special exercises, including "Interaction", "Search" and "Echelon" in Russia, as well as ""Indestructible Brotherhood" and "Barrier" in Belarus.

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Interdepartmental exercises were held off the coast of Kamchatka amid the growing threat of naval and aerial drones.

Tashkent is also interested in working together. In 2021, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev participated in a session of the CSTO Collective Security Council, where the situation in Afghanistan was discussed. Due to the common border, the issues of terrorism, drug trafficking and cross-border security are critically important for Uzbekistan. The CSTO has established a system for exchanging data on terrorist cells and their financing. There is also experience in special operations to eliminate them, which attracts Tashkent, Dmitry Sidorov, head of the Department of Foreign Regional Studies at MGLU, explained to "Izvestia".

For the CSTO, strengthening ties with Uzbekistan is important due to the freezing of Armenia's participation: the organization needs to demonstrate its potential, Sidorov believes. In addition, it will make it possible to bring existing areas of cooperation with Tashkent, both directly and through the CIS, to a new level, the expert believes. The CSTO members interact with Uzbekistan in other formats as well. The composition of the organization largely coincides, for example, with the SCO.

Photo: RIA Novosti/Konstantin Mikhalchevsky

Uzbekistan plays a key role in the security of the region due to its geographical location and military potential. The country borders all five Central Asian states (Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan) and is at the center of key processes in Central Asia: from the Afghan issue to border disputes. Uzbekistan is the largest country in the region by population with one of the most powerful armies. According to a study by the Oxus Society, it has the largest military budget in the region. And according to the Global Firepower rating for 2026, Uzbekistan ranks 53rd in the world in terms of total military power, above all other Central Asian countries.

What challenges does the CSTO face?

Afghanistan remains the main external challenge in the region — the problems of terrorism and drug trafficking have not gone away. The conflict with Pakistan is exacerbating the situation: in 2026, the countries repeatedly engaged in border clashes. And in November last year, three Chinese citizens were killed in an attack in Tajikistan from the Afghan direction — the Afghan authorities condemned the attack and declared their readiness to cooperate with Dushanbe. A separate danger is posed by "ISIS Khorasan"* (banned in the Russian Federation), which recruits immigrants from Central Asian countries.

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How does this affect the security of the entire region

The region may also become destabilized due to internal conflicts: in 2021-2022, there were clashes between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. In 2025, the parties nevertheless signed an agreement on the delimitation of the border, but the border issue requires constant dialogue and readiness to jointly respond to threats. So far, Bishkek and Dushanbe are coping with the task — in July, the parties began installing the first border posts as part of the ongoing demarcation.

Photo: RIA Novosti/Sergey Guneev

If the CSTO has already become accustomed to dealing with smoldering border disputes, then new challenges may affect the processes that have been established over the years. In February 2024, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced the freezing of participation in the organization, accusing it of inaction after the conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh. In May, Yerevan stopped paying membership fees, and in June 2026, Pashinyan made a final exit from the structure.

In parallel, Yerevan is moving closer to the United States, the EU and NATO. In January 2025, he signed a Charter on Strategic Partnership with Washington, providing for military training and defense sector reform. The Armenian military is already participating in the Eagle Partner exercises with the United States. In 2025, NATO helped the country develop the concept of military education, doctrine and officer training system, and consultations on defense began with the EU.

In the future, Yerevan's course on military cooperation with Western structures will deepen, Dmitry Sidorov believes. First of all, the purchase of Western weapons and the transition to NATO standards will continue. The other day, the army introduced a new military greeting procedure based on the Western model, the media reported. However, Western structures will not be able to provide Yerevan with real security guarantees.