Kremlin Says Armenia Free to Leave CSTO If Desired
Armenia free to leave CSTO if Yerevan no longer considers membership necessary – Peskov
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday that Armenia is free to withdraw from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), Russia's military alliance, if the country determines membership is no longer in its national interest.
Peskov's comments responded to remarks by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who stated Armenia would welcome expulsion from the bloc. Peskov noted that Armenian officials have previously said the country's CSTO participation has been frozen, but that Yerevan has not indicated plans to leave the organization.
Pashinyan has repeatedly characterized Armenia's CSTO membership as suspended and said Yerevan will decide its future relationship with the organization based on national interests. The remarks reflect ongoing tensions between Armenia and Russia over security issues in the South Caucasus.