During a meeting of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Security Agencies, Alexander Bortnikov, the director of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), warned that Western countries are attempting to undermine the integration of CIS nations. He stated that the West aims to create internal divisions, encourage peoples to forget their shared history, and establish dominance over the region. Bortnikov highlighted the increasingly challenging environment both at the external borders of the CIS and within its member states. He pointed out that various threats are on the rise, including international terrorism, political and religious extremism, organized crime, drug trafficking, cyberattacks, and information warfare. In light of these challenges, Bortnikov stressed the importance of a collective effort among CIS countries to objectively assess the situation and safeguard their mutual interests, which he believes are more interconnected than those with external players. This call for unity underscores the need for strengthened cooperation against external pressures.