Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has raised serious concerns about the security implications of Armenia’s continued membership in the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).
Speaking at the Second World Armenian Summit, Pashinyan declared that the CSTO not only fails to fulfill its defense obligations but also poses a threat to Armenia’s security, sovereignty, and statehood.
“We froze our participation not only because the CSTO is failing to meet its defense commitments to Armenia, but also because, in our view, the CSTO creates security threats to the existence, sovereignty, and statehood of Armenia,” Pashinyan stated during his speech.
Armenia announced the suspension of its membership in the CSTO in February 2024, citing the organization’s failure to adequately support Armenia amid growing regional instability. The country also stopped paying membership fees to the alliance, further signaling its intent to distance itself from the bloc, which includes Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.
The CSTO was established as a collective defense organization among former Soviet states, yet Armenia has voiced frustrations over its perceived lack of support, especially concerning ongoing tensions with neighboring Azerbaijan. Relations between Yerevan and the CSTO have been strained as Armenia increasingly views the alliance as undermining its national security rather than bolstering it.
“I have previously stated that we will resume our participation only when clear answers are provided to the questions we have raised. It has now been two years, and not only have there been no answers, but it is clear that there will be none,” Pashinyan said, emphasizing the deepening disconnect between Armenia and the CSTO.
Tensions escalated further in June 2024 when Pashinyan indicated that Armenia might take the next logical step of exiting the CSTO entirely. However, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan later clarified that the timing of any potential withdrawal would be a decision made solely by the Armenian government.
The CSTO was initially designed to act as a security buffer for its members against external threats, but Armenia’s leadership now questions whether the alliance truly serves its national interests, especially given the organization’s apparent inaction during critical moments of conflict.