Unofficial Meeting of CIS Leaders Begins

The unofficial meeting of the leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) has commenced in St. Petersburg. Traditionally organized by Russian President Vladimir Putin before the New Year, this gathering brings together heads of state from CIS countries.

Today, the leaders arrived at the "Pavlovsk" museum-reserve, after which they are scheduled to visit Tsarskoye Selo and Peterhof. In Pavlovsk, all guests, except for the presidents of Azerbaijan and Belarus who were engaged in bilateral meetings at that time, were greeted by a choir singing Christmas carols.

The unofficial CIS summit will conclude with discussions at the Konstantin Palace in Strelna.