The USA proposes to the CSTO to develop a program of defense cooperation. This was announced by the head of the Pentagon, Pete Hegsett. "Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of dialogue between the United States and the CSTO. In this regard, we propose to develop the US-CSTO framework program for defense cooperation. It will become a practical basis and will define the terms of our cooperation in the next few years," he said at the meeting of defense ministers of the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the Philippines. within the scope of the consultation. Hegseth promised to bring "peace through strength" to the region. "The United States is a Pacific power, and together with our partners in the CSTO, we are ready to ensure peace through force," he added. The meeting of defense ministers of the CSTO countries is taking place on October 28-29 in one of the resorts of the Philippine island of Cebu. Invited representatives from Australia, India, USA and Japan also participate in the event.