Uzbekistan Steps Back From a Regional Security Alliance

Uzbekistan has sent a note to the Secretariat of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) that it is suspending its membership in the group, CSTO representative Vladimir Zainetdinov said June 28. Russian Chief of the General Staff Nikolai Makarov added June 29 that the group will boost its military potential without Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan has a long and complicated relationship with the CSTO, which it sees as a Russian-led organization that acts against many of Uzbekistan's national interests.