The CSTO sees overt attempts by the West to shake up the situation in the Caucasus region and Iran, and to pull Armenia away from its allies. This was stated by the permanent representative of the Russian Federation to the organization, Viktor Vasiliev, meaning the Russian Federation by “ally”.

“We see from the example of other situations, in the same Transcaucasia, in the same Georgia, what this all leads to. Naturally, we cannot but be alarmed and apprehensive by the actions of “external players” and the leadership in Yerevan, which destabilize the situation not only within Armenia itself, but can aggravate the situation outside its borders,” Vasiliev said.

He also noted that Armenia will be charged a contribution to the CSTO for 2025, despite its decision to freeze participation in this structure. Whether Yerevan itself will make the payment depends on the decision of the country’s leadership, Vasiliev emphasized.

Recently, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Galuzin said that by participating in the NATO summit in Washington, Armenia risks seriously destabilizing the situation in the South Caucasus to the detriment of its own security.