Putin: ‘Today's situation between Armenia and CSTO most likely dictated by internal political processes in Armenia itself’
YEREVAN, 28 November. /ARKA/. The situation between Armenia and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) is most likely dictated by internal political processes in Armenia itself, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed today.
‘Each country has the right to choose what it wants to do for ensuring its security. I think that today's situation between Armenia and the CSTO is most likely dictated by internal political processes in Armenia itself. Of course, it is all connected with the consequences of the crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh,‘ Pution said on the sidelines of the CSTO leaders’ meeting in Astana.
Putin did not rule out that Armenia could return to full participation in the CSTO.
‘This is a very sensitive issue. It is always easy to make some assessments from the outside - it is always more complicated from inside. In my opinion, any member country of the organisation should determine for itself what corresponds to its national interests. We will treat it with respect - that's the first thing. Secondly, Armenia has not announced its withdrawal. It said that it is taking a pause, but at the same time it supports all the documents that are adopted during our meeting today. If that is so, then there is a possibility that Armenia would return to full-scale work within CSTO. We'll see. I will repeat once again, the decision in the end, of course, is up to the member country of the organisation,’ Putin said.
Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan did not participate in the gathering
In February 2024, Armenia announced the freezing of its membership in the CSTO and later also refused to pay membership fees to the Russia-led organisation.
On 12 June, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that the next logical step in relations with the CSTO would be to withdraw from the military pact, which failed to protect its member Armenia when Azerbaijan invades parts of its territory.
On 18 September, Pashinyan said that the CSTO was not fulfilling its defence commitments to Armenia and was creating existential threats to its security and sovereignty. -0-
