Military expert: Pashinyan will withdraw Armenia from CSTO, EAEU and CIS

"According to the data already provided by Pashinyan, the security architecture in Armenia is changing. Because of this, it is planned to withdraw the 102nd Russian military base. It is also expected that Armenia will withdraw from the CSTO, EAEU and CIS," military expert Hayk Nagapetyan said in an interview with Armenian media.

"Here's how it could happen: rumours about the soon-to-be extraordinary parliamentary elections are appearing. Presumably, in accordance with a pre-agreed accord, Pashinyan will win these elections thanks to an alliance of parties representing radical pro-Western forces. This will be done similarly to the Yerevan mayoral elections, as he is now in a favourable position," he said, according to Caliber.Az.

He added that due to the fact that no political party will be able to prepare seriously in 40 days if the elections are held in winter, propaganda will have to be conducted in the regions, which may meet natural obstacles. In the case of rallies, marches, and actions in the streets, weather conditions may hinder them. In this case, it is very likely that Pashinyan and the bloc of pro-Western forces will be able to win with slogans about withdrawal from the CSTO, the need to oust Russian military presence from Armenia and the cancellation of the treaty with Russia signed in 1995. There will also be declarations of withdrawal from the EAEU and the CIS.

"These issues I am talking about have already been discussed and accompanied by commitments at the conference 'Armenia-Europe: Armenia's Strategic Future' in Brussels where Armen Grigoryan, Secretary of the Armenian Security Council, spoke," the expert said.