Pashinyan says Armenia’s return to CSTO “unrealistic”

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that expectations of Armenia’s return to the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) are unrealistic, signalling continued deterioration in relations between Yerevan and the Moscow-led alliance.

Speaking at a government briefing, Pashinyan reiterated his position: “I have said that expecting positive changes, that is, a return [to the CSTO], is unrealistic.”

Armenia previously froze its participation in CSTO activities, with Pashinyan arguing that the organisation had, in his view, posed threats to the country’s sovereignty. In December 2025, he stated that relations between Armenia and the bloc had passed the “point of no return.”

Further underlining the government’s stance, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said at an international security forum in Warsaw that Yerevan is carefully assessing all risks associated with a potential decision to formally withdraw from the CSTO.

By Tamilla Hasanova