Putin's NATO-Style Alliance Faces Major Blow
"The Russian-dominated CSTO now stands out as a dead end for Armenian security," one expert in Yerevan told Newsweek.
Armenia is contemplating the withdrawal from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a key ally in its quest for regional security. Deputy Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced his intention to freeze cooperation with the CSTO following perceived failures to protect Armenia during conflicts with Azerbaijan. The CSTO, comprised of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan, has faced criticism for its perceived ineffectiveness as a security provider, particularly in the face of Azerbaijani aggression against Armenian territory.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov suggested that Armenia's decision to leave the CSTO is a matter of national interest, given the organization's historical role as a protector of Armenia's security. The source emphasizes that Armenia's cautious approach to the CSTO withdrawal is aimed at avoiding unnecessary provocation from Russia, while also highlighting the organization's diminished relevance as a security guarantor for Armenia.
Written by urgent.news from Newsweek's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
