State Duma Ratifies Protocol to the CSTO Agreement on the Status of Military Formations

On June 24, the State Duma of the Russian Federation at the plenary session ratified a protocol on amendments to the Agreement on the Status of Forces and Assets of the CSTO Collective Security System of December 10, 2010. The protocol was introduced by Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, on June 10 and signed in Astana on November 28, 2024.

The document is aimed at improving the legal framework for the temporary deployment of military formations and weapons of the collective security system on the territories of the CSTO Member States. According to the new provisions, military formations of one country can be sent to another Member State of the bloc not only in case of an armed attack, but also to prevent crisis situations, respond to emergencies, provide humanitarian aid and participate in joint military exercises and surprise inspections.

The document also clarifies the status, means of equipment provision and area of responsibility of temporarily deployed units, and introduces the concept of Formation Command – a management body established to lead these forces. The ratification of the protocol is expected to increase the effectiveness of cooperation between the CSTO countries in carrying out joint operations and activities, as well as provide additional legal guarantees for the temporary deployment of military units on the territories of the Organization's Member States.