Armenia has decided to suspend its involvement in the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), a military alliance dominated by Russia, as revealed by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in an interview with France 24 on Thursday.
Pashinyan expressed dissatisfaction with the CSTO, stating that the alliance failed to fulfill its security commitments to Armenia, and this lapse could not be overlooked.
The announcement comes amid ongoing tensions between Armenia and its neighbor Azerbaijan. Pashinyan warned of a potential new attack from Azerbaijan, characterizing the latter’s view of Armenia as “western Azerbaijan” and their intentions to seize additional territories.
Pashinyan argued that Azerbaijan’s disregard for Armenia’s territorial integrity and border inviolability rendered a peace treaty between the two nations practically impossible.
Also Read: US to Sanction 500 Russia-Linked Targets on Ukraine War Anniversary
Accusing Russia of conducting a propaganda campaign against him, Pashinyan claimed that Russia openly called for the overthrow of the Armenian government. He also criticized the Kremlin for what he deemed the “kidnapping” of Russian deserter Dmitry Setrakov, who was forcibly returned to Russia after being captured by soldiers in the Armenian city of Gyumri in December. Pashinyan warned Russia of “consequences” for its perceived “illegal actions” on Armenian territory.
Contrary to Pashinyan’s statement, Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported that the CSTO Secretariat in Moscow had not been officially notified of Armenia’s suspension from the alliance, suggesting that Pashinyan may have been referencing Armenia’s boycott of the last CSTO summit in Minsk in November.
, a military alliance dominated by Russia){kind=link}