CSTO Secretary General: Armenia Has De Facto Withdrawn from the Organization

Armenia has effectively withdrawn from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), Secretary General Taalatbek Masadykov stated in an interview with TASS. Masadykov noted that while the CSTO continues distributing operational documents to member states, Yerevan declines participation in discussions, joint decision-making, scheduled summit gatherings, and collective military drills, limiting its involvement solely to listening to weekly briefings.

The Secretary General added that Armenia does not obstruct the work of the organization or oppose decisions adopted in restricted formats. Masadykov assessed the status quo as directly related to Article 25 of the CSTO Charter, signifying that Armenia has de facto unilaterally distanced itself from the bloc. Earlier, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated in parliament that he favors Armenia's formal departure from the CSTO and would welcome such an outcome.

N. Tebrizli