Ivan Volynkin, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Turkmenistan, held a briefing in Ashgabat at which the results of bilateral cooperation in 2025 were summed up and priorities for the near future were outlined.

As the diplomat emphasized, 2025 became a period of unprecedented dynamism in relations between the two countries. A key factor in this success was active dialogue at the highest level.

The Ambassador particularly highlighted the visits of the heads of state. President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov visited Russia twice — in May to attend the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War and in December for the CIS summit. In turn, Vladimir Putin took part in a forum held in Ashgabat in December, dedicated to the “International Year of Peace and Trust” and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality.

Developing this topic, I. Volynkin noted the role of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

“A special contribution to strengthening ties was made by Hero-Arkadag, whose dialogue with the Russian leadership gave new impetus to strategic interaction. The National Leader of the Turkmen people repeatedly received heads of Russian delegations, delivered a substantive address at the plenary session of the Kazan Economic Forum in May last year, and also met with the President of Russia in Ashgabat in December,” stated the diplomat.

Speaking about the parliamentary dimension of cooperation, the head of the diplomatic mission described the signing of the Agreement on Cooperation between the Federation Council of the Russian Federation and the Mejlis of Turkmenistan as a landmark event.

The topic of economic interaction also became a priority of the discussion. According to the Ambassador, Russia firmly maintains its status as Turkmenistan’s leading trading partner. Thus, over the first ten months of 2025, the volume of mutual trade increased by 35%, exceeding the indicators of the entire previous year. In addition, a substantial package of documents was signed in Ashgabat in October, laying the foundation for new joint projects in the business sphere.

Relations in the humanitarian field and education are also developing. It was emphasized that cooperation in the social sphere remains a priority for both countries.

“Links in the field of education are being consistently strengthened. Currently, more than 54,000 students from Turkmenistan are studying at Russian higher education institutions. In 2025, the quota of the Government of the Russian Federation for applicants from Turkmenistan to study at the expense of the federal budget amounted to 500 places,” said I. Volynkin.

The head of the diplomatic mission also shared achievements in the area of digitalization. The introduction of a unified electronic visa has made travel to Russia easier for more than 10,000 citizens of Turkmenistan, the Ambassador noted.

Outlining the priorities of Russian–Turkmen cooperation for 2026, the Russian Ambassador to Turkmenistan noted that the coming year promises to be no less eventful in terms of the political agenda.

Informing about upcoming meetings and taking the opportunity, the Ambassador of Russia to Turkmenistan expressed gratitude to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for their invaluable contribution to the development of Russian–Turkmen friendship.

“We are convinced that new achievements lie ahead for the benefit of the dynamic development of mutually beneficial cooperation between Russia and Turkmenistan,” concluded I. Volynkin.