FSB сhief: West aims to push Armenia out of CSTO

FSB (Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation) Director Alexander Bortnikov has asserted that Western nations are actively seeking Armenia's withdrawal from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a move that would increase Yerevan's reliance on NATO countries for future cooperation with Azerbaijan.

He made the statement during a meeting of the Council of Heads of Security Bodies and Special Services of the CIS Member States, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

Bortnikov indicated that the West is attempting to persuade Armenia to postpone negotiations with Azerbaijan, thereby gaining control over the conflict resolution process and facilitating the deployment of its own military presence in the region.

“In exchange for favourable arms supplies and security guarantees, the West aims to prompt the Armenian government’s exit from the CSTO, making Yerevan even more dependent on the North Atlantic Alliance for its future relations with Baku,” he explained.

The FSB Director also referenced past instances of “NATO mediation in different regions of the world,” warning that the strengthening of the North Atlantic Alliance in the South Caucasus would not contribute to regional stability.

Prior to Bortnikov's remarks, Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, accused the European Union of attempting to exert a destructive influence in the South Caucasus, commenting on Brussels' plans to allocate €10 million in military aid to Yerevan.

By Tamilla Hasanova