During his press conference on March 14, Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan referred to the recent developments within the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

In answer to a question about Armenia’s possible withdrawal from the organization, Pashinyan said: "I think such concerns are groundless. The actual concern in Armenia is that CSTO might withdraw from Armenia. My assessment is that the CSTO is leaving Armenia willingly or unwillingly, and that worries us.”

Referring to the relinquishing of its quota of Deputy Secretary-General in the CSTO, Pashinyan noted that the decision was based on a reasonable suspicion that taking over the leadership role would not help strengthen the country’s security. 

Pashinyan also referred to the remarks about non-participation in recent combat operations. He particularly mentioned: “In November and September 2022, military clashes took place in Armenia. The CSTO insisted the Armenian government petitioned the CSTO with the wrong clause, and it did not petition with Article 4, so it would be impossible to make a decision in such a case. However, we petitioned the CSTO with all possible articles; we truly did.”

Despite the discontent, Pashinyan expressed further commitment to consistently working with the military bloc. 

MP Seyran Ohanyan, the leader of the opposition Hayastan bloc’s parliamentary faction, rejected the claims about the CSTO’s withdrawal from Armenia. According to him, the Armenian authorities under Pashinyan’s leadership failed in strategic relationships with Russia and the CSTO. Meanwhile, Ohanyan believes that to maintain smooth relations with Russia, Armenia should not have applied for the CSTO’s aid. Former defense minister Ohanyan recalled that during his leadership, similar problems occurred with Azerbaijan; however, he consistently opposed the idea of applying to the CSTO, given that withstanding Azerbaijani aggression is the sole responsibility of the Armenian army. 

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