Military analyst: Armenia decides to withdraw from CSTO

Russian military analyst Alexander Khramchikhin has said Armenia has made a decision to withdraw from the the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

“If the issue of withdrawal from CSTO is not on their agenda, why is the Armenian side not working in this structure, not even trying to get what it needs, why do all issues turn into public scandals and diplomatic skirmishes? Armenia has made a decision to withdraw from the CSTO, it is obvious to everyone: the CSTO leadership, member states, and Moscow,” Khramchikhin said in an interview with the Armenian media, Caliber.Az reports.

“By the way, this decision was made a long time ago and with this rhetoric that the agenda includes no question of leaving the CSTO, Armenia is still trying to hide the fact that the decision was made long ago. The CSTO has shortcomings, and everyone understood that the organization was a political umbrella for these countries and a structure that wrapped up relations with Russia in the military sphere. Armenia received weapons at the most favorable prices and other privileges.

Armenia's membership in the CSTO, the Armenian-Russian alliance, has allowed Armenia to ensure political solutions to security issues, which the Armenian authorities have consistently refused, having no equal alternative. Even if they are dissatisfied with the CSTO, Armenia has not yet found an alternative to it," the analyst said.