Armenia’s Prime Minister announces the country’s decision to leave the CSTO after dissatisfaction with its support against Azerbaijan. The move signals a shift in Armenia’s geopolitical alliances towards the West.
Armenia Announces Intent to Leave Russia-Led CSTO Alliance
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has declared Armenia’s intention to withdraw from the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). The decision was communicated on June 12, 2024, during a parliamentary session in Yerevan.
Armenia’s exit comes after a series of criticisms regarding CSTO’s inefficacy in protecting Armenia against Azerbaijani military advances. Relations between Armenia and Russia have strained significantly, particularly following Azerbaijan’s reclamation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region in September 2023. Armenian authorities accused Russian peacekeepers of failing to intervene during the conflict and suggested that some CSTO members colluded with Azerbaijan.
The departure will leave CSTO with five member states: Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. Armenia’s Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan noted that while the decision has been announced, an official withdrawal has not yet been executed.
The CSTO’s cumulative GDP now stands at approximately $2.58 trillion, a stark contrast to NATO’s $50.8 trillion. This development further complicates the geopolitical landscape, as Armenia seeks to bolster its ties with Western entities and institutions.
