On January 10th, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a press conference announcing the decision of the official Yerevan to not consider it appropriate to carry out peacekeeping exercises of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in the Republic of Armenia in the current situation. The head of state stated: “The Minister of Defense of Armenia has sent a written notification to the Joint Staff of the CSTO that we do not consider it appropriate to hold such military exercises on the territory of the Republic of Armenia in the current situation. These military exercises will not take place this year.” Pashinyan further explained that the idea that the Russian Federation is Armenia's number one ally, as well as guarantor of the security sphere of Armenia, was a cornerstone in the process of the country's formation. “I must say that we also perceived it this way and continue to perceive this issue. After the 44-day war in 2020, our main concern, as well as the main agenda with the Russian Federation was that we were afraid that Azerbaijan would take aggressive actions against the internationally recognized territory of the Republic of Armenia. This was the main topic of our contacts with Russia. As a result of these conversations we received official assurances that the borders of the Republic of Armenia are a red line for both our allies and our security partners. When the May events of 2021 occurred in the Sotk-Khosnavan area, the invasion of the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia, we naturally expected our Russian partners to take specific actions. In response to our requests and appeals, we received a remark that the borders between Armenia and Azerbaijan are not demarcated. This has created a meaningful contradiction,” Pashinyan concluded.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's press secretary Dmitry Peskov has commented on Nikol Pashinyan's statement about not considering it appropriate to carry out peacekeeping exercises of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in the Republic of Armenia in the current situation.

Peskov said that the CSTO partners will get in touch and clarify the details of the Armenian position, noting that Armenia is a very close ally. He added that the dialogue will continue, including on issues that now seem very difficult.