Armenia executed a notable reshuffle of its diplomatic and security posts by recalling Viktor Biyagov from his permanent chairmanship within the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). The official action was announced through a decree issued by the country’s president, Vahagn Khachaturian, and published on the presidential site for public record. The decree cites a proposal from the prime minister and outlines the step to remove Biyagov from his longstanding role as Armenia’s permanent representative to the CSTO, as well as from his plenipotentiary duties within the scope of Armenia’s diplomatic service. The document also indicates that Biyagov will transition to new responsibilities in the Armenian government’s foreign affairs apparatus in a capacity aligned with Armenia’s broader diplomatic objectives.
Following the reshuffle, decrees issued by the presidency appoint Biyagov as Armenia’s ambassador to the Netherlands and assign him as Armenia’s permanent representative to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. These moves broaden Armenia’s diplomatic footprint in key international forums and reinforce the country’s commitment to multilateral diplomacy on security and disarmament issues.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has previously signaled that Armenia could consider withdrawing from the CSTO if the organization is deemed ineffective or misaligned with national security needs. In such a scenario, the Armenian government would pursue its own security arrangements and alliances that better reflect the country’s strategic priorities. The possibility of reassessing CSTO membership remains a live political discussion within Yerevan, reflecting the ongoing balance between regional alliances and national sovereignty.
Before these developments, Deputy Foreign Minister Mnatsakan Safaryan already served in the capacity of head of Armenia’s security council. His comments acknowledged the option of leaving the CSTO as a potential policy path if concerted efforts to reform or reorient the alliance fail to produce the desired security outcomes for Armenia. Safaryan also expressed cautious optimism about CSTO observers proposed to be stationed along Armenia’s borders with Azerbaijan, indicating a hope that such measures could contribute to stabilization and transparency in a volatile neighborhood.
Observers noted that the discourse around CSTO membership touches on broader regional questions—how Armenia balances collective defense obligations with its own security calculations, and how external powers influence the security architecture of the South Caucasus. In public commentary, a former spokesperson for the Russian president offered remarks on the possible directions for Yerevan, highlighting the sensitivity and strategic stakes involved in any potential realignment of security commitments. The overall trajectory suggests Armenia is actively weighing its options, seeking a security framework that aligns with its constitutional prerogatives and national interests while continuing to engage with international partners on issues of arms control, regional stability, and collective security.