Russia intends to eject Armenia from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) per their wishes
In a bold move, Russia is urging Armenia's Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, to step up and pull Armenia out of the Moscow-dominated Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). This comes as a response to Pashinyan's latest comments about potentially fully exiting the security organization.
Speaking at a briefing, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova made it clear that Yerevan has the freedom to sever ties with the CSTO. "We respect the sovereign decision-making of our Armenian partners when it comes to plotting their foreign policy course, including their stance regarding the CSTO," Zakharova asserted.
Since the bitter defeat in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Pashinyan's government has distanced Armenia from Russia's embrace and attempted to strengthen bonds with the United States and European Union. Many Armenians feel let down by Russia's perceived failure to uphold its security commitments during the conflict. This shift in alliances saw Armenia freezing its CSTO membership, a move that many see as a snub to the Kremlin. In a further show of displeasure, Russian peacekeepers left the region in early 2024, with Armenian officials making it clear that the troops were no longer welcome. Armenia also kicked out Russian border guards from the Yerevan airport.
Without the leverage of Azerbaijan's expulsion of over 100,000 ethnic Armenians from Karabakh last year, Armenia struggles to secure a lasting peace deal with Baku. One of the few bargaining chips Armenia has left is the threat of a full withdrawal from the CSTO. However, Moscow seems unfazed by the threat, hinting that Pashinyan might be bluffing.
This diplomatic dance is part of Pashinyan's quest to secure existing Armenian borders. He's aiming for CSTO recognition of the existing frontier, believing that such recognition would deter any potential future attempts by Azerbaijan to seize Armenian territory.
In a speech in March, Pashinyan questioned Armenia's continued membership in the CSTO, admitting he "can't provide a solid answer." Pashinyan went on to say that Armenia will leave the organization if the CSTO and its leadership "don't specify the borders of the sovereign Armenian territory."
"We're demanding answers from our esteemed CSTO partners about their zone of responsibility in Armenia," Pashinyan declared. If the CSTO fails to oblige, Armenia will bid adieu to the Treaty, he stated, though he didn't specify a timeline for such a departure.
Russia's refusal to endorse CSTO recognition of the Armenian frontier at this time adds another layer of challenge to Pashinyan, who's already grappling with a wave of domestic discontent, including a protest march led by opponents of recent territorial concessions made by the government.
- Amidst political tensions, the Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, acknowledges Armenia's autonomy in its foreign policy decisions, particularly concerning policy-and-legislation associated with the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).
- As Armenia's Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, continues to discuss the potential exit from the CSTO, Russia's stance on policy-and-legislation related to this matter has emerged as a significant point in the broader context of general-news and international politics.
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