On October 2, Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, expressed regret over Armenia's continued freezing or boycotting of its activities within the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). 

Responding to a journalist's question regarding Armenia's different approaches to the CSTO and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), Zakharova stated, "We welcome Armenia's active participation in the EAEU... We regret Armenia's continued freezing or boycotting of its activities within the CSTO." She emphasized that it is up to the state to decide its priorities while noting that Russia views the CSTO as useful for security in the same way the EAEU is for the economy. However, Zakharova reiterated that this is a matter of Armenia's national policy.

During the same briefing, Zakharova also accused Western countries of "destabilizing activity" in Armenia and the South Caucasus. This remark was in response to an Azerbaijani journalist who voiced dissatisfaction with the US Agency for International Development's plans to strengthen control over Armenia's cyber, energy, and border security, as well as its intention to increase funding for the country. Zakharova asserted that these actions reflect the West's destabilizing influence, noting that such trends and experiences from other countries should be recognized. According to her, this can be avoided by pursuing nationally oriented policies focusing on the country's and its people's interests.

Additionally, Zakharova called on both Baku and Yerevan to refrain from rhetoric that could be perceived as a threat to each other's territorial integrity or suggest a forceful resolution of disputes. This comment was made in response to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's recent statement about the return to "Western Azerbaijan," referring to the entire territory of Armenia. Zakharova stressed the importance of dialogue on humanitarian issues, including preserving cultural, historical, and religious monuments, reciprocal access to cemeteries, and searching for missing persons. She concluded by stating that Russia is ready to assist in these efforts if necessary.