Armenia refuses to pay contribution to CSTO budget

Yerevan has confirmed its decision to withhold its financial contribution to the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) budget, according to a statement from Armenia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In response to an official inquiry, Armenian officials confirmed that the country had notified the CSTO Secretariat of its decision not to sign the document related to the organisation's budget for 2024, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

"The Armenian side has officially informed the CSTO Secretariat that it is refraining from signing the 'CSTO Budget for 2024' decision and, consequently, from participating in the funding of the organisation's activities," the ministry stated.

The Ministry also emphasized that, in line with CSTO's internal procedures, details of the annual budget are not subject to public disclosure.

Earlier, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksandr Pankin warned that if Armenia fails to make the payment by the end of 2025, CSTO member states may explore various scenarios for the future of the alliance.

In May of the previous year, Armenia officially announced its decision to refrain from financing the CSTO's 2024 budget. Despite this, CSTO representatives have indicated that Armenia’s contribution for 2025 will still be calculated.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has repeatedly expressed his country's suspension of participation in CSTO activities. In September, Pashinyan described the organisation as a "security threat" to Armenia, stating that the point of no return in relations with the alliance had already been reached.

This comment prompted a response from the Kremlin, with Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov disagreeing with the Armenian Prime Minister's stance. Peskov reiterated that the CSTO was established to safeguard the sovereignty of its member states and posed no threat.

By Aghakazim Guliyev