Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) defence ministers are categorically opposed to the deployment of US missile defence systems in Europe. This is one of the main outcomes of a session that closed 28 September in Bishkek. It was attended by the defence ministers of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Armenia and Uzbekistan. The ministers are unanimous in their opinion: any deployment of any groupings presents a military threat and any disturbance of the balance of forces in the region may result in unforeseeable consequences. That is why the decision on European missile defence should be taken with consideration given to international agreements and the opinion of neighbouring states.

The ministers discussed over 20 issues. These concerned raising combat potential, increasing control over airspace and improving cooperation in military education. The ministers also discussed Russia’s presence in former Soviet Union countries.

Anatoliy Serdyukov, Russian defence minister said "The leadership of the Russian Federation pays close attention to preserving peace in the former Soviet Union. All peacekeeping operations are quite unique and constitute considerable experience. I think that the agreement adopted today is quite topical within the CSTO framework."