In 2024, the CSTO floated stabilizing steps for Armenia, as disclosed by CSTO Chief of the Joint Staff, Colonel General Anatoly Sidorov
Last year, the Collective Security Treaty Organization proposed a set of measures aimed at stabilizing the situation in the Caucasus, with Armenia at the center of the discussions. These initiatives were outlined by Colonel General Anatoly Sidorov, who noted that the CSTO’s team and its secretariat carried out on-site work in Armenia, culminating in the preparation of detailed reports and the drafting of relevant documents for further consideration. The official pointed out that several drafts emerged from this process, reflecting a broad spectrum of security, political, and regional confidence-building ideas, all reported by RIA News.
Measures addressing the Caucasus region were indeed suggested during that period, Sidorov added, underscoring the CSTO’s intent to map a path toward regional stability. The remarks imply not a single plan but a suite of potential measures designed to respond to evolving security challenges, with Armenia playing a pivotal role in shaping the discussions and potential commitments that could follow.
The CSTO delegation, together with the secretariat, conducted substantial work in Armenia, and the ensuing analyses informed the creation of draft documents. This process reflected the alliance’s effort to translate discussions into formal, actionable materials that could guide future diplomacy and regional cooperation. Sidorov emphasized that the debates remain active for a variety of reasons, signaling ongoing negotiations among member states as they assess feasibility, consent, and strategic implications.
Meanwhile, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that Yerevan would not alter its policy or move to exit the CSTO. He explained that Armenia chose not to participate in certain CSTO events for a range of reasons, illustrating a careful balancing act between alliance commitments and national priorities. This stance, reported in recent statements, captures the nuanced posture Yerevan has adopted within the alliance framework and its broader regional strategy.
During a press conference held on November 14, the Armenian prime minister warned Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko that he would not attend the CSTO summit. The remark highlighted the frictions and strategic calculations shaping Armenia’s interactions with fellow member states and the broader security architecture of the region, underscoring that participation in high-level gatherings remains conditional on multiple factors.
Previously in discussions at the State Duma, it was stated that President Vladimir Putin would be unable to enter Armenia because of the ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The report suggested that such legal developments could influence bilateral and regional dynamics, potentially affecting the ease with which heads of state and high-level officials engage in CSTO-related activities.