Russia expects to preserve friendly relations with Armenia, and other CSTO member states are also interested in developing ties with Yerevan. This was stated in an interview with RIA Novosti by Russia’s Permanent Representative to the CSTO, Viktor Vasilyev.

“We want to preserve friendly relations between Russia and Armenia, given the interwoven lives and destinies of our peoples, not just over decades but over centuries. Other CSTO member states also have their own interests and their own history of relations with the Republic of Armenia,” Vasilyev said.

Armenia announced the suspension of its participation in the CSTO in 2024. Prime Minister of the republic Nikol Pashinyan explained this by saying that, in Yerevan’s view, the allies had failed to fulfill their obligations under the Collective Security Treaty with regard to Armenia in 2021–2022.

The Collective Security Treaty Organization includes Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.