The Prime Minister stated that work in the CSTO will not be activated:
"I know that there are discussions in the CSTO, and the organization's charter also provides for the possibility of removing a country from the organization. I would be very pleased if the CSTO decided to remove Armenia from the organization. At least it would free us from the dilemma of whether to leave or not," said Pashinyan:
Press secretary of the Russian president Dmitry Peskov later stated that Armenia can leave the Collective Security Treaty Organization if Yerevan no longer needs to be a member of that organization:
The Kremlin representative, commenting on Pashinyan's statement, noted that he finds it difficult to understand what it means to be "pleased if he were removed."
Russia has intensified pressure on Armenia regarding the CSTO, periodically reminding Yerevan through high-ranking officials that sanctions could be imposed:
Yerevan has been boycotting work in the military alliance for the fourth year. After the Azerbaijani attack on Armenia in 2022, when the CSTO not only failed to provide assistance to Armenia but also did not give a political assessment of the occupation of Armenian territories, the official Yerevan ceased participation in the CSTO's work and refused its quota for the post of deputy secretary-general. In February 2024, membership in the alliance was suspended, and the Armenian side also stopped paying membership fees.
