Armenia risks damaging its military ties with Russia if it withdraws from the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and continues its pivot towards the West, according to a senior official in Moscow.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin stated in an interview with the TASS news agency that despite Western promises to Yerevan, the CSTO remains the only viable mechanism for ensuring Armenia’s security.
Galuzin noted that while the Armenian leadership seems eager to capitalize on the West’s increased interest in cooperation, particularly in the security sphere, hasty decisions that allow Western access to sensitive national data could prevent Armenia from rejoining collective defense efforts with Russia and other CSTO allies.
He reiterated a common viewpoint among Russian officials, asserting that the West aims to weaken Russian influence in former Soviet states rather than enhance their security.
Over the past year, Armenia has boycotted high-level CSTO meetings and military exercises, with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan describing this in February as an effective suspension of Armenia’s membership in the six-nation alliance. Pashinyan also indicated that Armenia might leave the CSTO entirely.
The Armenian government accuses Russia and its other ex-Soviet allies of failing to provide military and political support following Azerbaijan’s military operations along the Armenian border in September 2022. Armenia has also criticized their lack of condemnation of the “Azerbaijani aggression.”
Recently, Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikian boycotted another CSTO meeting in Almaty. CSTO Secretary General Imangali Tasmagambetov later expressed hope that Yerevan would clarify its status within the organization.
Pashinyan’s administration frames its efforts to strengthen ties with the United States and the European Union as a “diversification” of Armenia’s foreign and security policy. However, tensions with Moscow have intensified in recent months.
Galuzin complained that Yerevan has reduced military contacts with Russia and ignored a Russian proposal for new diplomatic consultations. He attributed this to Western pressure on Yerevan to minimize ties with Russia.
In March, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Pashinyan’s government of pushing towards a collapse of Russian-Armenian relations under Western influence. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Pashinyan discussed the growing rift between the two allies during a meeting in Moscow on May 8.
