Filenews 23 July 2025
By Mark Temnycky
YEREVAN/MOSCOW – The Armenian government appears to be permanently distancing itself from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the Russian-led military alliance, in a development that reflects the gradual dismantling of ties between Moscow and former Soviet allies.
At a press conference on July 16, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that it was "more likely that Armenia would withdraw from the CSTO, rather than return to activity." Armenia has already "frozen" its membership in the organization from February 2024, accusing the CSTO of failing to defend it against Azerbaijan's attacks.
This development intensifies centrifugal tendencies in the CSTO, which was founded in 1992 as the post-Soviet analogue of the Warsaw Pact. Already, Azerbaijan and Georgia withdrew in 1999, while Uzbekistan left the organization in 2012, complaining of a lack of support for border tensions with Kyrgyzstan.
Kazakhstan, a key member of the CSTO, has kept its distance from Moscow since its invasion of Ukraine. The government rejected the Russian strategy, avoided recognizing Russia's territorial gains, and provided humanitarian aid to Kiev. President Kassim Tokayev avoided bilateral meetings with Vladimir Putin and did not participate in the St. Petersburg Economic Forum in 2023.
Reservations are also expressed by other member states. Belarus maintains a close relationship with Russia, but President Alexander Lukashenko has refused to send troops to Ukraine, despite Putin's pressure. Polls show that most Belarusians oppose participation in the war.
Kyrgyzstan, although not directly in conflict with Russia, canceled a CSTO military exercise and advised its citizens to avoid travel to Russia. Tajikistan, finally, has not sent troops to Ukraine, while many Tajiks with dual citizenship are considering renouncing Russian citizenship to avoid conscription.
Discontent in the ranks of the CSTO is growing, with several members distancing themselves from Russia either implicitly or publicly. The reluctance of the allies to step up Russian military action reveals the weakening of Moscow's influence in the post-Soviet space and casts doubt on the future of collective security in the region.
