Armenia has not indicated any shift in its policy toward the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and has not decided to withdraw from the alliance. This clarification came from a government-addressed statement by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during official duties. He emphasized that there has been no decision to exit the CSTO, nor any plan to rethink Armenia’s participation in the security bloc.
During discussions, Pashinyan noted that the decision by Ereven to abstain from CSTO activities was taken for a range of reasons, without implying a broader strategic move by Yerevan. He underscored that the matter would not be treated as a precondition for other discussions or a prelude to any upcoming political maneuver. In his view, there is no groundwork being laid for a formal departure, and if such groundwork exists, it does so only as a theoretical possibility rather than an active policy option.
In response to questions about potential preparations for leaving the organization, Pashinyan stated that he does not intend to lay groundwork for any particular outcome. He also suggested that the existence or non-existence of such groundwork would become clear in due course, but it should not be assumed as an imminent step.
On the day of the press conference, Pashinyan indicated that he had informed the Belarusian president, Alexander Lukashenko, that he would not attend the CSTO summit. Despite this decision, he expressed hope that CSTO partners would recognize Armenia’s position and respond with understanding. The Kremlin reacted by expressing regret over the decision, signaling tangible diplomatic communication on the matter.
Additionally, it was noted in discussions within the State Duma that a separate development could affect Armenia’s interactions with international bodies, specifically the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The implication was that ratification of the Rome Statute might influence Armenia’s ability to participate in certain regional activities or travel to some venues, though the exact consequences for Armenia’s CSTO involvement were not framed as a direct linkage by the participants.
These exchanges illustrate the delicate balance Armenia seeks to maintain within regional security structures while pursuing its own assessment of how best to coordinate with CSTO partners. The Prime Minister’s remarks suggest a preference for careful, case-by-case engagement with the alliance rather than rapid, sweeping changes to Armenia’s security commitments. Observers may interpret the stance as a message that Yerevan aims to preserve channels of dialogue with CSTO members while signaling a readiness to exercise strategic autonomy in responses to evolving regional dynamics. The situation underscores the complexity of alliance politics, where national interests, domestic considerations, and international legal developments intersect in shaping a country’s security posture.