It is appropriate to limit Armenia’s access to the secret documents of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov said. “I am sure that access to documents that are generally secret will be limited,” Ryzhenkov said on Belarus 1 television.

He expressed doubts about whether Armenia should be given full access to the organization’s secret documents, calling the country a “false ally.”

According to the Belarusian foreign minister, such information could theoretically be used to the detriment of the interests of those countries that intend to develop the CSTO as an integration union based on solidarity.

Ryzhenkov emphasized that, in his opinion, the change in attitude towards integration organizations is not related to the Armenian people, but to the position of Armenia’s top leadership. He reflected on the country’s participation in the CSTO and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), and described it as passive and selective.

“This is the use of certain knowledge and advantages stemming from participation in these associations for one’s own selfish purposes, which do not coincide with the goals of the integration associations,” the Belarusian foreign minister stated. As an example, he mentioned the favorable prices for natural gas and oil for Armenia, as well as the ability to transport products to final consumers.

According to Ryzhenkov, Yerevan enjoys the advantages of participation in the associations, but remains far from other obligations. The aforesaid statement was made after the CSTO summit held in Moscow, during which it was decided to deprive Armenia of its voting rights and the opportunity to appoint its representatives to responsible positions in the organization.

In 2024, Yerevan announced the “freezing” of its participation in the CSTO, although such a procedure is not provided for by the organization’s charter, and stopped paying membership fees.