Armenia emphasized that it has not been participating in the Russian military-political alliance for more than a year

The “freezing” of Armenia’s participation in the CSTO is a political, not a legal assessment. Thus, the head of the Commission on Foreign Relations of the Armenian Parliament, Sarkis Khandanyan, commented on the statements of Russian officials that there are no legal procedures for “freezing” and Yerevan must specify its position. The chairman of the parliamentary commission recalled that there is currently no progress in relations between Armenia and the CSTO, and Yerevan has not participated in the organization’s activities for more than a year.

Recently, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in an interview with France24 that his country’s participation in the Moscow-dominated CSTO military-political bloc has been frozen. “The collective security treaty, in our opinion, was not implemented in relation to Armenia. We have suspended our participation in this agreement,” Pashinyan said.

Armenia’s non-participation in the CSTO actually means a freeze in relations, the head of the country’s parliament, Alen Simonyan, noted after this. “My personal opinion is that the CSTO has turned itself off and is not functioning,” Simonyan said.

Последние новости
MMA fighter from Chechnya hospitalized following a brawl involving gunfire in Vladikavkaz
Society
MMA fighter from Chechnya hospitalized following a brawl involving gunfire in Vladikavkaz
18 October 2026

Mixed martial arts fighter Ibragim Islamov, known by the nickname "Nikarkho," sustained a gunshot wound from a non-lethal (traumatic) pistol during an altercation in the center of Vladikavkaz. Two people were injured in the incident, both of whom were hospitalized. The North Ossetia branch of the Russian Interior Ministry has opened a criminal case, and one of the individuals involved has been detained.

Azerbaijan marks 35 years of independence—33 of which have seen the country ruled by a single family
Society
Azerbaijan marks 35 years of independence—33 of which have seen the country ruled by a single family
18 October 2026

On October 18, Azerbaijan celebrates the Day of the Restoration of Independence. It was on this date in 1991 that the republic’s Supreme Soviet adopted a Constitutional Act, formalizing the country’s departure from the Soviet system and the restoration of its state sovereignty.

US Congressman Calls Kobakhidze’s Meeting with Iranian President an “Insult to Trump”
Politics
US Congressman Calls Kobakhidze’s Meeting with Iranian President an “Insult to Trump”
18 October 2026

American Republican Congressman Joe Wilson has criticized Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze for holding talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The meeting took place in Yerevan on the sidelines of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17).

Drone alert declared across southern Russia this evening
News
Drone alert declared across southern Russia this evening
17 October 2026

On the evening of 17 October, a drone alert was declared again in several districts of Krasnodar Krai. The warning covered Anapa, Gelendzhik, Novorossiysk, Abinsky, Krymsky and Temryuksky districts. Earlier in the day, alerts had also been issued in Sochi, Tuapse municipal district and Mostovsky district.