A senior diplomat from Armenia’s governing bloc, who leads the parliament’s committee on foreign affairs, responded to comments made by Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, regarding the CSTO issue and Yerevan’s position. The remarks were carried by Sputnik Armenia and have prompted a detailed response from Armenian officials.
The Armenian deputy clarified that Moscow and Yerevan do not engage in a game of football when it comes to security. The focus, he emphasized, is Armenia’s safety, and addressing it requires a broad set of strategies rather than quick, one-size-fits-all moves. He stressed that there is no obligation for Armenia to concede ground or defer on matters that affect national security.
According to the deputy, Yerevan’s stance on dispatching a mission to the Collective Security Treaty Organization remains clear: the CSTO should undertake a political assessment of Azerbaijan’s ongoing actions and their impact on Armenia. This position aligns with Armenia’s view that the alliance’s role is to provide insight and guidance during moments of perceived aggression, not simply to relay or echo external positions. The ongoing discussions reflect a broader debate over how the CSTO should respond to evolving security dynamics in the region, a conversation that has engaged Armenian lawmakers and security officials alike and has been echoed in official commentary reported by Armenian media outlets.
Earlier, Maria Zakharova indicated that the CSTO stands ready to send observers, placing the onus on Yerevan to decide on next steps. This framing has broad implications for regional diplomacy and the balance of power within the CSTO framework, with Armenian officials repeatedly underscoring their preference for a measured and politically grounded approach rather than hurried actions. The exchanges underline the complexity of coordinating collective security arrangements in a volatile neighborhood and the need for careful consideration of Armenia’s security requirements as they relate to border stability and regional peace initiatives, as noted by Armenian sources during the period in question.
On March 20, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan acknowledged that Armenian authorities had not ruled out the possibility of a CSTO mission being deployed to the border with Azerbaijan. This admission reflects the cautious openness of Yerevan to external assessment while maintaining a clear preference for a mission that can articulate a nuanced and strategic response to the current security situation. Mirzoyan’s comments were followed by discussions with top CSTO officials, including the organization’s secretary general, to outline expectations for how such a mission could operate and what questions it should address to support Armenia’s security calculus. The broader objective remains to demonstrate resilience in the face of military pressure and to secure a response that is proportionate, legally grounded, and aligned with Armenia’s long-term security goals, as reflected in subsequent Armenian reporting on the topic.
An additional thread in the discourse involved former Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who publicly expressed concerns about military exercises within the CSTO framework. His stance signaled a preference for a careful assessment of commitments to regional security drills and their relevance to Armenia’s strategic interests, rather than blanket participation. The conversation surrounding these exercises illustrates the delicate balance Armenian leadership seeks between alliance commitments and the imperative to safeguard national sovereignty. The ongoing dialogue among Armenian political figures, security institutions, and international partners continues to shape how Armenia navigates CSTO interactions and related regional security arrangements, a theme highlighted by multiple Armenian reporting outlets during the period cited.
Throughout these developments, Armenian officials have framed the CSTO discussion as part of a broader effort to ensure stability along the country’s borders and to address what they regard as ongoing security challenges. The emphasis remains on leveraging political and strategic tools within the CSTO framework to deter aggression, deter miscalculation, and promote a safer security environment for Armenia and its neighbors. Observers note that the dialogue reflects a careful, step-by-step approach designed to preserve Armenia’s sovereignty while engaging with regional partners in a constructive manner that can yield durable, peaceful outcomes for the South Caucasus. The reporting by Armenian outlets during this period underscores a shared understanding across political and security circles that measured, principled engagement with the CSTO is essential for maintaining regional balance and national security integrity.