In the lively atmosphere following the conclusion of the international forum on peace and trust in Ashgabat, President Vladimir Putin and President Serdar Berdimuhamedov found time for a personal conversation that underscored the enduring warmth between Moscow and Ashgabat. This meeting, which took place immediately after the plenary session of the forum “Peace and Trust: Unity of Goals for a Sustainable Future” on 12 December, added a personal touch to the grand themes of global harmony and regional stability.
“Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich! Welcome to Turkmenistan! We are very glad to see you today in Ashgabat,” said Berdimuhamedov.
“Your participation in this International Forum on Peace and Trust testifies to your commitment to strengthening peace, trust, and mutual understanding,” he added.
Putin responded with equal enthusiasm. He noted Turkmenistan’s key role in promoting the recognition of this status by the United Nations. “This policy fully justifies itself,” said the Russian President, pointing to its contribution to regional stabilization and the flourishing of bilateral ties. “It contributes, as I already said today in my public speech, to stabilizing the situation in the region and creates good conditions for the development of bilateral relations with many countries, including – I want to note this with satisfaction – our bilateral ties between Russia and Turkmenistan.”
The dialogue shifted to the practical aspects of partnership, painting a picture of relations that are developing “successfully, in the spirit of friendship and good neighborliness.”
From economic diversification to trustful political exchanges and seamless cooperation on international platforms – Turkmenistan and Russia are on the same wavelength in their vision of the future, as evident from the statements.
“We have done a lot in building our relations in all directions and, I am sure, much more can be done. We have many mutual interests in various areas,” said Putin, pointing to untapped potential in various fields.
At the end of the meeting, Putin invited Berdimuhamedov to St. Petersburg. This refers to the traditional pre-New Year informal meeting of CIS leaders, taking place at the end of December.
This meeting followed Putin’s speech at the forum, where he highlighted a 35-percent growth in Russian-Turkmen trade turnover for the first 10 months of 2025, as well as joint projects in energy, transport, and other areas. As Central Asia navigates a multipolar world, such meetings signal a commitment to pragmatic alliances where stability is more important than conflicts. ///nCa, 13 December 2025