IRIA News

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Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and other world leaders gathered in Ashgabat on December 12, 2025, to mark the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality at the Maslahat Kosgi Palace.

President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov hosted the summit that was also attended by the leaders of Central Asia: Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov, Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Azerbaijan’s Prime Minister Ali Asadov, and additional senior representatives from across Eurasia also joined the summit.

The forum coincided with the International Year of Peace and Trust, the International Day of Neutrality, and the celebration of Turkmenistan’s neutral status established 30 years ago.

Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality is a unique, internationally recognized foreign policy status under which the country commits to political and military non-alignment, refraining from joining military blocs, and promoting diplomacy, peace, and mediation.

Before the formal opening, President Berdimuhamedov and foreign leaders laid flowers at the Monument of Neutrality in Ashgabat, honoring the 1995 United Nations General Assembly resolution that granted Turkmenistan permanent neutrality.

The UN has recognized December 12 as International Neutrality Day since 2017. The forum is being held in cooperation with member states of the Organization of Turkic States and is intended to serve as a platform for international dialogue on peace and cooperation.

Berdimuhamedov Emphasizes Neutrality as Foundation for Development

In his opening remarks, President Berdimuhamedov said neutrality has served as the core principle guiding Turkmenistan’s sustainable development and foreign policy. He said the country’s approach is rooted in peace, trust, and mutual respect, reflecting longstanding traditions of good neighborliness.

He described the forum as an opportunity to deepen international engagement and broaden global cooperation on conflict prevention and diplomacy.

The president highlighted that neutrality allows Turkmenistan to build constructive relations with states across multiple regions. He emphasized that his government views neutrality not only as a foreign policy principle but also as a model with broader international relevance.

The Ashgabat forum underscored the importance Turkmenistan places on neutrality as a stabilizing framework for regional and global diplomacy. By hosting high-level leaders, Ashgabat signaled its intention to play a greater role in promoting peace-oriented dialogue and cooperation.

The wide participation of Eurasian leaders reflected growing interest in stability, multilateral diplomacy, and new mechanisms for managing geopolitical tensions in a multipolar world.

Turkmenistan Proposes Establishing the University of Peace and Neutrality

During the forum, President Berdimuhamedov unveiled a new initiative: the creation of a University of Peace and Neutrality in partnership with the United Nations. He said the institution would focus on academic, research, and practical work promoting diplomacy, preventive tools, conflict resolution, and neutral-state practices.

“In this context, based on the rich experience of the Community of Nations in the field of peacekeeping, which employs a wide range of political and diplomatic tools and methods of preventive diplomacy, and to advance the practical dimension of neutrality and carry out related research and educational activities, Turkmenistan proposes the establishment of a University of Peace and Neutrality in cooperation with the UN,” he said.

Berdimuhamedov expressed hope that the international community would support the proposal and said Turkmenistan is ready for substantive discussions with friendly states and partners. The initiative received attention as a step aimed at positioning Ashgabat as a center for peace-oriented education.

Putin Highlights Strategic Partnership and Multilateral Principles

Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the plenary session and congratulated Turkmenistan on the 30th anniversary of its neutrality. He called the occasion symbolic, noting that on December 12, 1995, the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted the resolution recognizing Turkmenistan’s neutral status.

He said Russia values its strategic partnership with Turkmenistan and supports the draft Ashgabat Declaration being prepared for the forum.

Putin said Turkmenistan’s neutrality has contributed to stability in Central Asia and emphasized that principles of peace, non-interference, and respect for national development models remain essential to international security.

He added that the United Nations, marking its 80th anniversary this year, continues to serve as a “unique and often the only mechanism for balancing interests on the international stage.”

Putin highlighted the growth of Russia-Turkmenistan economic ties, noting that trade turnover increased by 35 percent in the first ten months of 2025, surpassing the total for the previous year.

He said Russian companies are pursuing new investment projects in Turkmenistan and strengthening cooperation in energy, transport, and other sectors. More than 54,000 Turkmen students currently study in Russia, he said, underscoring deepening cultural and educational links.

He also noted Turkmenistan’s upcoming chairmanship of the Commonwealth of Independent States in 2026 and said Russia will provide full support.

Erdogan and Putin Hold Private Talks on Ukraine and Regional Issues

On the sidelines of the event, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Vladimir Putin held a 90-minute closed-door meeting focused on the war in Ukraine and bilateral issues. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said both leaders described relations between Turkey and Russia as strong and multifaceted and stressed that cooperation continues despite regional challenges.

Both leaders invited each other for future visits. Putin’s long-delayed trip to Ankara is expected to take place when possible. They also discussed EU efforts to freeze Russian assets, which Peskov said both leaders believe could undermine the international financial system. The European Union is preparing to indefinitely freeze approximately $246 billion in Russian holdings.

Türkiye reiterated its willingness to host new rounds of talks between Russia and Ukraine. Erdogan emphasized his government’s ongoing diplomatic efforts to achieve a “fair and lasting peace,” adding that Türkiye has maintained dialogue with all sides since the start of the conflict.

The forum also saw a tense moment involving Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who waited more than 40 minutes for a scheduled meeting with Putin. Footage circulated by Russia Today showed Sharif standing before briefly joining Putin’s meeting with Erdogan for around ten minutes.

The delay comes at a sensitive moment for Pakistan, which has sought to strengthen ties with Russia as Moscow deepens cooperation with India. The timing of the incident, shortly after Putin’s warmly received visit to India, led analysts to question whether Islamabad faces growing diplomatic obstacles.

Sharif previously told Putin, “I respect your relationship with India, but we also want to build strong relations that will be supplementary and complementary for the betterment of the region.” Pakistan’s efforts to engage Russia also intersect with broader geopolitical challenges, including its relations with China and shifting U.S. positions on energy imports.

Prime Minister Sharif of Pakistan 🇵🇰, President Erdogan of Turkey 🇹🇷 and President Putin of Russia 🇷🇺 share views in informal discussions during a multilateral summit in Turkmenistan today: pic.twitter.com/aKZ1ReSNAw

— The STRATCOM Bureau (@OSPSF) December 12, 2025