Armenia Takes Control of Its destiny: Leaving CSTO Amidst Growing Tensions with Russia.

Armenia has announced that it will not contribute to the funding of the CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization) in 2023. The country’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Ani Badalyan, stated that Armenia will not participate in financing the organization’s activities as outlined in the budget, and will not approve the organization’s 2024 budget in its entirety.

Despite Armenia’s calls for condemnation of Azerbaijan’s attack in September 2022, the CSTO has not taken action. As a response, Yerevan rejected the proposal to deploy CSTO observers on the border. Prime Minister Pashinyan announced in 2024 that Armenia’s membership in the bloc was de facto frozen, and there is a possibility that Armenia may leave the bloc.

The tensions between Armenia and Russia have been growing since then. The relations between the two countries have become strained due to various issues including military exercises, political statements and economic sanctions imposed by Russia on Armenia.

The CSTO consists of six member countries: Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Belarus. This decision by Armenia reflects their discontent with recent events and their desire to assert their independence from Russia’s influence within the organization.