Russia supports the acquisition by the Commonwealth of Independent States of observer status in the CSTO. This provides additional platforms for discussing controversial issues, President Vladimir Putin said at the CIS summit in Astana, reports TASS.

"Of course, we will support the proposed decision to expand cooperation between the Commonwealth and the CSTO," said the Russian president at the summit of the CIS According to him, even if some participants have "some concerns about this issue," it is necessary to work out all the issues. "If some of our colleagues, in particular, the Prime Minister (Armenia), have some concerns in that regard, it's necessary to further study the issue, to pay attention and work on it. But I think that the fact of the CIS observation in the CSTO does not hinder anyone, on the contrary, it creates additional opportunities for the use of all these platforms for additional consultations, meetings, discussions, and search for solutions," Putin explained.

A large package of documents has been prepared for the current summit, including the decision to obtain the CIS observer status with the CSTO.

"At previous meetings of CIS leaders, the importance of intensifying joint work to strengthen security in our common region and develop cooperation between the CIS and the CSTO was repeatedly stated," pointed out the Russian president.