Pashinyan says to be pleased if Armenia were expelled from CSTO

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that he supports the country’s withdrawal from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and would be pleased if this were to happen.

While presenting the government’s program for 2026-2031 from the parliamentary rostrum, the PM emphasized that Yerevan does not intend to increase its participation in the CSTO over the next five years.

"I know that discussions are underway within the CSTO. Incidentally, the charter provides for this: a country can be expelled. I would be very pleased if the organization expelled Armenia from the CSTO. At the very least, it would free us from the dilemma of whether or not to leave," Pashinyan said.

According to him, Armenia’s interest in the CSTO has waned. At the same time, the PM gave a vague answer to the question of what Armenia plans to replace its CSTO membership with: strengthening relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan or applying for NATO membership, even though the country has not been invited to join.

Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Armenia may withdraw from the CSTO if it no longer requires its membership.

"If Yerevan no longer needs to be a member of such an important organization for ensuring regional security to serve its national interests, then it is free to take the appropriate decision and leave this organization," Peskov said.