PM Pashinyan claims CSTO threatens Armenia's security and sovereignty, Kremlin responds

He said this at the Second World Armenian Summit, according to Novosti Armenia.

“We have frozen our participation not only because the CSTO does not fulfill its defense obligations to Armenia, but also because, in our opinion, the CSTO poses threats to the security, existence, sovereignty and statehood of Armenia,” the Armenian Prime Minister said.

According to him, many discussions are underway to restore Armenia's relations with the CSTO.

"I have previously stated that we will resume our participation only if the issues raised are addressed concretely. Two years have passed since then, and not only have no answers been provided, but it is evident that they will not be forthcoming. The longer the delay and the more unconvincing the responses, the closer we move to the point of no return. No one will have the legitimate right to blame us for this," Pashinyan emphasized.

For his part, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow categorically disagrees with the Armenian prime minister's statement. According to him, the CSTO does not pose any danger to Yerevan.

Peskov noted that the CSTO “stands guard over the sovereignty of the organization's member states.”

“Russia will patiently communicate this position to the Armenian leadership,” the Kremlin spokesman emphasized.

He also added that Moscow will continue contacts with Yerevan, as it is its close partner, and the issue of Armenia's accession to the EU “belongs to the sphere of the country's sovereign rights.”

• On February 23, Pashinyan said that his country had frozen its participation in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), which is “dominated by Moscow.”
• In June, he hinted at the possibility of the country's withdrawal from the CSTO, and the country's Foreign Ministry explained the prime minister's words.
• On August 31, Pashinyan announced that his country had frozen its participation in the Collective Security Treaty Organization at all levels.