Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan announced that he refused to carry out the CSTO “Indestructible Brotherhood – 2023” exercises in the country. According to news.amDefense Minister Suren Papikyan informed the CSTO joint headquarters that Yerevan does not find it appropriate to hold exercises in the current situation.
“The Ministry of Defense of Armenia informed the CSTO Joint Headquarters in writing that we do not find it appropriate to hold exercises in Armenia in the current situation. Pashinyan said at the press conference he held today that these exercises in Armenia will not be held at least this year.
He also stressed that the security of the Lachin corridor in Nagorno-Karabakh continues to be the responsibility of the Russian peacekeepers.
“We believe that our toolbox should be diplomatic, that is, apply international pressure to open the Lachin corridor,” he said, denying rumors that Armenia is allegedly planning to withdraw from the CSTO.
In November, Pashinyan refused to sign the CSTO Council’s statement following the results of the Yerevan summit, arguing that the military alliance did not react in any way to Baku’s actions in the Lachin corridor.
January 1 appeared on the website of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation Message About the planned exercises “Indestructible Brotherhood-2023” by the CSTO peacekeeping troops on the territory of Armenia. It was noted that all maneuvers “will be for peacekeeping and counter-terrorism purposes”.
CSTO includes Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. The latter also canceled joint exercises with CSTO in October 2022.
Lachin corridor
The Lachin corridor has been blocked since 12 December, the only road Stepanakert-Goris is blocked by unidentified persons. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also highlightsMoscow is making every effort to stabilize the situation in the region.
Commenting on the current situation, Pashinyan said that Armenia will not speak in the language of ultimatums in connection with the need to open the Lachin corridor with the Russian Federation.
“I don’t think we should talk to our partners in the language of ultimatums. “We have said over and over again everything we have to say on this subject, and in general there is nothing to add.”
The politician added that Baku explained its actions out of fear that Armenia and Russia might engage in joint aggressive actions against Azerbaijan. “This is ridiculous, but against the background of events in Ukraine, these statements are interesting and Azerbaijan is using it. We draw the attention of our Russian colleagues to the fact that in the absence of an answer, the military presence of the Russian Federation not only ensures the security of the Republic of Armenia, but also poses a threat to it. security,” has been finalized Pashinyan.
Earlier, the Prime Minister of Armenia stated that if Russia “could not provide stability and security in Nagorno-Karabakh”, it should apply to the UN Security Council and request authorization for a peacekeeping force or send additional peacekeepers. to the region.
Moscow’s reaction
Press Secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov assured that Moscow will continue the dialogue with Yerevan “on all issues, including the very difficult ones at the moment”.
The Kremlin spokesman added that the CSTO will clarify the details of Armenia’s stance, which refuses to hold the organization’s exercises in 2023. Regarding Pashinyan’s statement today, he said, “This is a fairly recent statement by the Prime Minister of Armenia, I think my colleagues will get in touch through the CSTO, they will clarify the details of Armenia’s position.”
“In any case, Armenia is our very close ally, we will continue the dialogue, including on very difficult issues at the moment,” the spokesperson said.
Vladislav Shchegrikovich, Press Secretary of the CSTO Joint Headquarters, also noted that proposals are being worked out with the CSTO Peacekeeping Forces on the possibility of transferring the exercises from Armenia to the territory of other member states of the organization.
“The CSTO Joint Headquarters is currently developing recommendations on the possibility of holding such an exercise on the territory of other CSTO member states and clarifies the Plan for 2023 joint training of command and control bodies and forces and means of the CSTO collective security system. ” Quoted by Shchegrikovich, TASS.