Armenia’s Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, stated on Wednesday that the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) presents an existential threat to Armenia, prompting a swift response from Russia.
Pashinyan explained that Armenia has suspended its membership in the CSTO not only because the organization has failed to fulfill its security obligations but also because, in his view, the CSTO now threatens Armenia’s security, sovereignty, and statehood. Speaking at a conference in Yerevan, he emphasized that Armenia’s participation in the CSTO will only resume if concrete answers are provided to the questions Armenia has raised.
“We raised these concerns two years ago, and not only have they gone unanswered, but it has become clear that they will not be addressed,” said Pashinyan, warning that Armenia is approaching a “point of no return” in its relationship with the CSTO. He did not specify when Armenia might formally withdraw from the military alliance, which includes six former Soviet states.
Russia was quick to counter Pashinyan’s remarks. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin’s spokesperson, strongly disagreed with the Armenian leader’s stance. “The CSTO does not and cannot pose a threat to Armenia’s sovereignty,” Peskov said in Moscow. “On the contrary, it safeguards the sovereignty of its member states.” He added that Russia will continue to communicate its position to Armenia and emphasized that Armenia remains a “close partner.”
Armenia has been boycotting high-level CSTO meetings and activities, including military exercises, since last fall, before officially “freezing” its membership. Earlier this month, Russia’s Foreign Ministry once again urged Armenia to resume full participation in the alliance.
This suspension is part of a larger decline in Russian-Armenian relations, with Pashinyan’s government seeking closer ties with the West. However, Russian officials have repeatedly asserted that Western nations cannot offer viable security or economic alternatives for Armenia.
