By Ani Avetisyan
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has signalled that Armenia plans to exit the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) defence pact. During a parliamentary Q&A session on Wednesday, Pashinyan, responding to opposition heckling, confirmed that leaving the CSTO was inevitable but the timing has still to be decided.
Pashinyan accused CSTO members of aiding Azerbaijan in its attacks against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.
Opposition MP Tadevos Avetisyan questioned the government’s role, prompting Pashinyan to assert that Armenian statehood was endangered due to its reliance on Russia and its CSTO ties.
An opposition MP shouted, 'then leave it [the CSTO]!' to which Pashinyan replied: 'we will leave', stressing the need for a sovereign, safe Armenia with defined borders.
Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan later clarified that the exact timing of the exit remains undecided.
Even though Armenia is a member of CSTO and Azerbaijan is not, members of the defence pact did not come to Armenia's aid during Azerbaijan's invasion in 2020 or in subsequent attacks, and nor did they even criticise Baku.
Armenia has downgraded its military links with Russia, asking Russian troops to leave Yerevan airport. It has also refused to take part in CSTO activities.
According to Article 19 of the CSTO Charter, members can withdraw after a six-month notice period. Despite Pashinyan's threats, the country has not yet initiated withdrawal procedures.
