Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Armenia continues to be a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), retaining all its rights and obligations within the bloc.
“We support Yerevan’s full participation in CSTO activities, as it is an integral part of the country’s security,” he said, as reported by Novosti Armenia.
Russia also hopes that Armenia’s diversification of foreign policy does not signal a shift toward anti-Russian alliances.
“We assume that Armenia’s leadership, in diversifying its foreign ties, is not seeking to limit cooperation with traditional allies or align with associations and blocs that aim to inflict a ‘strategic defeat’ on our country,” Lavrov stressed, according to Sputnik Armenia.
He said Moscow has clearly presented its position on Armenia’s moves to draw closer to the European Union. In Russia’s view, South Caucasus countries, including Armenia, are aware that behind the seemingly friendly gestures from Brussels and Washington lies calculated strategy. For the West, this region, with which Russia shares deep historical ties, is merely a potential “pressure point” to harm Moscow.
Lavrov also emphasized that Russian-Armenian relations rest on a strong legal framework that defines their allied nature.
“We work effectively within the common integration structures operating in the Eurasian space. Armenia’s membership in the EAEU brings tangible, real benefits. One of the key strengths of the Union is resolving issues based on mutual respect and consideration of all member states’ interests, unaffected by political trends,” he said.
Additionally, Lavrov underlined that Russia continues to prove its role as Armenia’s reliable and vital trade partner and a guarantor of its food and energy security.
“Our country accounts for about 35 percent of Armenia’s foreign trade. Russian businesses are a major factor in Armenia’s socioeconomic well-being. We’re also discussing expanding cooperation in areas like nuclear energy and logistics. Many joint educational and cultural projects are underway,” he noted.
According to him, the Russian military base and border guards stationed in Armenia remain essential components of security for both Armenia and the South Caucasus.
In February 2024, Armenia announced it was freezing its participation in the CSTO and suspending membership fees. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated the organization had failed to meet its defense obligations toward Armenia in 2021–2022, posing a threat to the country’s security and sovereignty. The Foreign Ministry noted that a final decision on membership would depend on the CSTO’s response to Azerbaijan’s occupation of Armenian territory. As of late 2025, Yerevan clarified that formally leaving the CSTO was not under official consideration.
