国际英语新闻:CSTO vows unity to avert Ukrainian tragedy

MOSCOW, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Presidents of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) countries pledged unity Thursday to avoid the spillover of Ukrainian crisis and deter Western threats.

"There are still many threats and challenges in the world today ... We shall first of all consider what we need to do jointly to maintain the unconditional security of our nations," Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an informal summit with his counterparts from CSTO member countries of Belarus, Armenia, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

"As you may know, in Europe, militant nationalism is raising its head here and there - the one that once led to the appearance of the Nazi ideology," the Kremlin press service quoted him as saying.

The meeting came a day before Russia celebrates the 69th anniversary of Victory Day marking the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.

Hailing the readiness of Russian armed forces, Putin said the country was more than capable of maintaining its sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as contributing to global and regional security.

The tensions surrounding Ukraine saw no substantial signs of easing as Kiev authorities vowed to continue its offensive operation to regain control of the country's southeastern region, while the pro-Russia activists planned to go ahead with a referendum on autonomy on Sunday.

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon recalled political confrontation and armed conflict in his country in the early 1990s when the Soviet Union fell apart, which claimed more than 157,000 lives. " This course of events (in Ukraine) is familiar ... we need strong political will and a great effort to consolidate society and achieve mutual accord and peace in the country."

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashevich said Russia will get over Western sanctions through using its own resources and pooling efforts with CSTO countries.

"Our internal possibilities will augment many-fold when united. And we will be able to get over these sanctions. We have nothing to fear of," the Itar-Tass news agency quoted him as saying.

He noted that the CSTO members should stand shoulder to shoulder, saying, "Being alone, we will have what is now in Ukraine."

The CSTO, which groups six former republics of Soviet Union and two observers of Afghanistan and Serbia, plans to hold drills code- named "Unbreakable Brotherhood 2015" in Armenia in September that year.