The Armenian Armed Forces Chief of General Staff, Edward Asryan, publicly stated that Yerevan has not yet withdrawn from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). He emphasized that any potential consequences of such a decision remain a state secret, underscoring the sensitivity of the issue as reported by TASS.
When pressed about what leaving the CSTO might mean, Asryan replied that Armenia has not exited the alliance and that the rest of the questions touched on confidential matters. This framing suggests that strategic deliberations are ongoing and not for public disclosure at this time.
Additionally, Asryan avoided commenting on claims regarding weapons supplies from Russia, reiterating that information on such topics is classified as a state secret. The refusal to discuss these details aligns with a broader pattern of keeping sensitive defense information out of public view.
On February 28, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan raised the possibility of a legal freeze on Armenia’s participation in the CSTO, signaling a potential shift in the country’s security posture. The remarks appeared within a wider debate about regional security alignments and national sovereignty in relation to the alliance.
On March 2, Armen Grigoryan, the secretary of the Armenian Security Council, described Russia as a strategic partner and warned that the country’s dependence on Moscow may carry long term risks. This position reflects ongoing concerns within Armenia about balancing alliances and maintaining independent security planning.
In related political discourse, Artur Hovhannisyan, a member of the parliamentary group Civil Agreement, indicated that discussions had taken place about the potential role of Russian border guards at Zvartnots International Airport in Yerevan. The dialogue points to the broader questions surrounding security arrangements and border management in the capital region.
Previously, the Russian Foreign Ministry signaled the possibility of revising Armenia’s relationship framework. The development has fed into public expectations about how regional powers may recalibrate their engagements with Armenia and the CSTO as a whole.