Armenia will withdraw from Russia’s answer to NATO if land lost to Azerbaijan is recognized by CSTO

Armenia threatened to withdraw from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) — Russia’s answer to NATO — if the organization recognizes the seizure of sovereign Armenia land by Azerbaijan, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said, as reported by the Russian state propaganda media RIA Novosti on March 12.

Armenia received assurances from the CSTO about its readiness to deploy peacekeepers along the border with Azerbaijan, but the organization did not specify the area of responsibility for its peacekeepers within the republic.

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"We have a question about conflicting interpretations: Peacekeepers are neutral, but the CSTO is our organization,” Pashinyan said.

“If Armenia's sovereign territory is a 'red line' for the CSTO, please clarify your understanding of what constitutes Armenia's sovereign territory, as this remains unclear. This issue requires resolution.”

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“If the CSTO addresses this question and its response aligns with Armenia's understanding, it indicates the issue between Armenia and the CSTO is resolved, along with the ensuing implications,” he said.

“However, if the CSTO's response does not align, Armenia will withdraw from the CSTO, though the timing remains uncertain."

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The CSTO is a military-political international organization that includes Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan.

Armenia has "frozen" its participation in the Collective Security Treaty Organization, Pashinyan announced on Feb. 23.

Armenia's membership in the CSTO, which is effectively controlled by Russia, creates "certain problems" for Armenia.

Neither the CSTO, nor Russia, acted when Azerbaijan seized Armenian land in a war of aggression in Sept. 2023.

Yerevan has since looked to Western partners for security matters, Armenian National Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan said earlier.

The country is considering an application for membership in the European Union due to heightened tensions with Russia, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said on March 8.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine