[ Putin's ERA betrayal backstabbing] Big brother Russia

[Yervant1]

Armenpress.am

Russia admits having problems regarding fulfillment of Armenia arms supply obligation

11:41, 22 December 2023

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS. Nearly all contracts between Russia and Armenia on military-technical cooperation have been fulfilled, but there are problems with certain contracts, Russian Ambassador to Armenia Sergey Kopyrkin has said.

“Military-technical cooperation between our countries has long tradition and is based on the agreement on military-technical cooperation between Russia and Armenia signed on June 25, 2013. Nearly all signed contracts are either completed – on time and high quality, or are in the final phase of fulfillment,” the Russian ambassador told TASS news agency.

He said that Armenia and Russia are discussing the signing of new contracts of military-technical cooperation.

At the same time, the Russian ambassador admitted that in relation to certain contracts there have been problems regarding Russia’s fulfillment of its obligations.

“In terms of certain individual contracts there are indeed issues related to the obligations on fulfilling the state order by Russian enterprises in the defense sector, however these are working issues that are resolved during dialogue between respective government agencies of Russia and Armenia,” the Ambassador said.

Armenian authorities have said that Russia has failed to deliver armaments for which Armenia has paid for.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1126742.html?fbclid=IwAR1o5uvt2KKtS0eFvmtzwJALLWgj8OuWXCU5JpNAiELfW_U-G8lr4UAid7M

[Yervant1]

Russia needs an agreement, on the agreement! At the time of need will they be there, or hide behind excuses the way they did before?

TASS, Russia

Dec 22 2023

Yerevan admits possibility of new military, technical cooperation agreements with Russia

Earlier, Russian Ambassador to Armenia Sergey Kopyrkin said that Moscow and Yerevan were discussing the establishment of new agreements within military and technical cooperation

YEREVAN, December 22. /TASS/. Armenia and Russia may negotiate new agreements on military and technical cooperation, Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan said at a briefing.

"I don't rule it out, but I can't tell you the details, you are asking about armament," he said.

Earlier, Russian Ambassador to Armenia Sergey Kopyrkin said in an interview with TASS that Moscow and Yerevan were discussing the establishment of new agreements within military and technical cooperation.

https://tass.com/defense/1725559

 

 

Edited December 24, 2023 by Yervant1

[Yervant1]

Armenpress.am

Kremlin announces Armenia and Azerbaijan ready to finalize peace treaty

20:22, 26 December 2023

YEREVAN, 26 DECEMBER, ARMENPRESS. The Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, have expressed their readiness to finalize the peace treaty, Russian mass media reports, quoting Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.

“They are ready to conclude peace negotiations, issue a joint document, to sign the peace treaty," Peskov said in an interview with Channel One during the unofficial summit of the CIS in St. Petersburg. When asked whether it is not risky to gather conflicting parties in one place, Peskov responded: "There is no danger here."

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1126993.html?fbclid=IwAR2Kwv9iYKy6RdjfgfOCox5Ku9D0Lr7oQoK-Z9Ndu3j_wScUVL7Nffq7rbo

[MosJan]

[MosJan]

I was going to ask Putin how it feels to have your country attacked, but what does he care. he never did

[Yervant1]

eurasianet

Jan 15 2024

Russia rejects criticism of peacekeepers in Karabakh Russian peacekeeping troops in Nagorno-Karabakh presided over the exodus of the entire population they were sent there to protect. Moscow says they've done a great job.Lilit Shahverdyan Jan 15, 2024

Russia's Foreign Ministry has angrily defended the performance of the country's peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh.

In September last year the 2,000-strong peacekeeping contingent did not intervene as Baku launched a lightning offensive to retake the region, which resulted in near-complete emptying of its Armenian population.

And that came at the end of a nine-month blockade of the region during which the Russian troops were of limited help in getting supplies into Karabakh and transporting Karabakhis to Armenia for medical treatment.

A number of Armenian officials, most recently Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan, have complained publicly about what they saw as the peacekeepers' failure to protect the roughly 100,000 local Armenians.

"From September 19, ethnic cleansing started in NK. Until now, we haven't received any explanation of how the ethnic cleansing occurred in the presence of Russian peacekeepers. We haven't seen any explanations," Grigoryan said.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stridently disagrees.

"We believe that these [accusations] are attempts to falsify the facts to avoid responsibility. There was no mass death of Nagorno-Karabakh civilians or significant damage to civilian facilities," she said at a briefing on January 12.

That is arguably true. Azerbaijani troops did not target Karabakhi civilians en masse, though there were sporadic reports of atrocities in villages. The exodus of the Armenians from Karabakh was nonetheless violent and chaotic. As locals were fleeing, over 200 people died in a fuel depot explosion and an estimated 64 died during the trek to Armenia, which saw days-long traffic jams. (An estimated 220 Karabakhi soldiers lost their lives trying to resist the onslaught.)

"No one has the right to insult the peacekeepers, and we will respond to those who insulted them," Zakharova added.

She also bristled at the use of the term "ethnic cleansing," which has been used by many other Armenian officials, including Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

"Regarding the claims of ethnic cleansing in Karabakh, I would like to be presented with any facts, any documents, or statements from any international organization that is considered authoritative in Yerevan, for example, the United Nations or another organization," she added.

The peacekeepers were stationed in Karabakh under a Russia-brokered ceasefire in November 2020 immediately after Azerbaijan's victory in the Second Karabakh War and seizure of lands in and around the region. The Russian troops operated amidst ambiguity, with no clearly defined mandate.

Questions about the efficacy of the peacekeeping effort arose early on. In December 2020, Russian peacekeepers were unable to prevent Azerbaijan from seizing two Karabakh villages in their purported zone of responsibility. Over the next three years, Azerbaijan continued incursions into Karabakh, capturing additional territories and putting civilians at risk along the border.

In December 2022, as Azerbaijan blocked the Lachin corridor, the sole route connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia and the outside world, the peacekeepers were unable or unwilling to unblock it. The blockade continued for over nine months until Azerbaijan's decisive offensive in September that resulted in the dissolution of the de facto republic through another Russia-brokered ceasefire and the surrender of local defense forces. In the ensuing days, the entire population of Karabakh evacuated to Armenia, leaving the region empty save for a few dozen inhabitants, all while Russian peacekeepers looked on.

Russia said several of its troops were killed during Azerbaijan's offensive, including a senior officer, but did not reveal details of the incident nor the precise number killed.

After Azerbaijan established full control over the region, the Russians dismantled several observation posts. They now coordinate their peacekeeping activities exclusively with Azerbaijan. The peacekeepers' news bulletin keeps recording the absence of ceasefire violations and continuous interactions with Baku "to ensure the security of the civilian population."

Most recently, Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister signaled the possible withdrawal of peacekeepers in 2025, as the 2020 tripartite agreement initially stipulated.

Armenian officials have not commented on Zakharova's remarks.

Lilit Shahverdyan is a journalist based in Stepanakert.

https://eurasianet.org/russia-rejects-criticism-of-peacekeepers-in-karabakh

[Yervant1]

Armenia - Jan 18 2024

Lavrov says Azerbaijan ready to sign peace treaty with Armenia on Russia’s territory

Yerevan /Mediamax/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said today that “Moscow has never been the initiator of cooling relations with Yerevan.”

“We remember when many of Armenia’s officials, while still in opposition, agitating during various political processes, election campaigns, called for withdrawal from the Collective Security Treaty Organization, the Eurasian Economic Union. When Prime Minister Pashinyan came to power, we did not have the slightest impulse to somehow distance ourselves from Yerevan. Everything developed as it did under his predecessor - in the economy, energy, social sectors and military-political affairs,” Lavrov said at a news conference in Moscow.

The Russian minister said Azerbaijan is ready to sign a peace treaty with Armenia on Russian territory, but Yerevan’s position remains unclear.

“Our Western colleagues want a peace treaty to be signed only on their territory, this is a fact. It is also a fact that Azerbaijan is ready to sign it on Russian territory. I do not know to what extent Yerevan is for this, although relevant signals have long been sent to the Armenian capital,” Lavrov said.

https://mediamax.am/en/news/foreignpolicy/53664/

[Yervant1]

Armenpress.am

Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan never discussed so-called Zangezur Corridor, says Lavrov

15:38, 18 January 2024

YEREVAN, JANUARY 18, ARMENPRESS. The so-called Zangezur corridor has never been discussed within the framework of the trilateral agreements between Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said.

“The Zangezur Corridor has never been discussed as part of the agreements that were made by President Putin, President Aliyev and Prime Minister Pashinyan on November 9 in 2020,” he said at a press briefing.

Speaking about unblocking regional connections, Lavrov said the three countries have decided during trilateral task force meetings that the countries will retain sovereignty and jurisdiction over routes which will be unblocked through their territory. This was agreed and discussed with Putin during his Yerevan visit for the CSTO summit, Lavrov said.

Lavrov said the agreement wasn’t realized for unknown reasons.

“I remember quite well, how positively this was accepted, but then it just went away….I don’t know what hindered the implementation of the agreements on opening connections between Azerbaijan proper and Nakhijevan,” the Russian FM said.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1128350.html?fbclid=IwAR3OeT8XXYdePl1_RksYd8-SCG7ynqz6L72QwbszT7AZB5fJo5R3NvfIY1M

[Yervant1]

Armenpress.am

Russia ready to contribute to establishment of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Ambassador

11:39, 19 January 2024

YEREVAN, JANUARY 19, ARMENPRESS. Russia is ready to maximally contribute to the establishment of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, according to Russian Ambassador to Armenia Sergey Kopyrkin.

In an interview with RIA Novosti, Kopyrkin said Russia continues to “actively, decisively and consistently” work in that direction.

“I want to say that Russia is determined to maximally contribute to the process of establishing truly sustainable and fair peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan,” the Russian Ambassador said, adding that Moscow is also willing to assist the two countries in demarcation and delimitation of the border, as well as to develop trust.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1128409.html?fbclid=IwAR2sfn1fae_nVavo_wfwRUNblI9jB-nosUFHxMCgt4t7gNSvAJABRjmFwhM

[Yervant1]

Asbarez.com

Russia Invites Mirzoyan to Moscow for Peace Talks with Azerbaijan

by Asbarez Staff

January 26, 2024

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Main, Latest, News, Top Stories

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov hosted talks with his Armenian and Azerbaijani counterparts, Ararat Mirzoyan and Jeyhum Bayramov in Moscow on Jul. 25

 

Russia’s foreign ministry on Friday it has extended an invitation to Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan to take part in peace talks with Azerbaijan.

“Ararat Samvelovich Mirzoyan was invited to Moscow for consultations on issues of the peace treaty many times, starting from last September,” said Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova. “Among other things, that was discussed during bilateral contacts at various levels. The last signal was sent to Yerevan literally a few days ago.”

Russian officials have been urging Yerevan to attend peace talks mediated by Moscow as the tug-of-war between the West and Russia intensifies. Azerbaijan has all but rebuffed European and American efforts to mediate peace talks, canceling scheduled meetings in Spain and Washington last fall.

Official Moscow has criticized Yerevan’s efforts to seek Western mediation for the talks, warning, at times, that the European Union and the United States do not have the best interests of Armenia and are using the conflict to create a rift between Russia and Armenia.

During a press conference earlier this week, Mirzoyan said that there has been a “regression” by Baku in resuming peace talks. He added that for Yerevan the venue of the talks was not important, as long as the sides resume talks for a peace treaty.

Zakharova’s statement on Friday suggests that Yerevan has not responded to Moscow’s offer to host talks, which last week Russian Foreign Minster Sergey Lavrov claimed were agreed to by Baku.

The Russian foreign ministry spokesperson also emphasized that Moscow continues to remain Yerevan’s partner.

She said Russia has had “a decisive contribution in the cessation of hostilities—in particular in the fall of 2020—and has had a more decisive contribution in an even more difficult situation—one might even say, in preventing the defeat of Armenia.”

https://asbarez.com/russia-invites-mirzoyan-for-peace-talks-with-azerbaijan/?fbclid=IwAR0cv40ZCNEr_e4bEzqK0qaieaCjyJlZwihy3rjk-TaMca1KQBH9gDtZl08

[Yervant1]

Jan 29 2024

"Baku and Moscow will not change their policy towards Yerevan" - Armenian ambassador to EU

• JAMnews

• Yerevan

Interview with Tigran Balayan

“Will they eventually return Aliyev to the constructive field or will they continue to let him turn into Saddam Hussein? This is also a question of authority, of the EU’s reputation,” Tigran Balayan, head of Armenia’s representation in the EU, believes.

In analmost hour-long interview with Radio Azatutyun (Liberty), the diplomat expressed his opinion on the probability of signing a peace treaty with Azerbaijan, Armenia’s desire to join Europe and the difficulties in relations between Yerevan and Moscow.

• Signing of Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty is only theoretically possible

• “Moscow needs continuation of Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict”. Opinion from Yerevan
• Armenia fulfills Aliyev’s demand? Pashinyan proposes a new constitution

“Baku’s goal is to stymie the peace process”

Tigran Balayan believes that the crisis of negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan is not due to the platforms – Western or Russian – on which they could be held. He believes that the issue is the lack of Baku’s political will. According to the Ambassador’s assessment, Aliyev’s latest interview shows that Azerbaijan has no intention to sign a peace treaty with Armenia:

“The holding of extraordinary elections in Azerbaijan is a move to delay or derail this process.”

The diplomat said that the latest Azerbaijani version of the text of the agreement sent to the Armenian side is more than regressive. Some clauses and formulations have been removed:

“Among other things, they removed the provision on maps that will serve as a basis for delimitation, saying that they do not need it.”

“The ring around Aliyev is getting tighter and tighter”

According to Balayan, the decision to exclude the Azerbaijani delegation from PACE was the result of Baku’s “irresponsible and aggressive behavior”:

“Mr. Aliyev wants to remain the most bloodthirsty, cruel dictator, to do whatever he wants, both inside the country and outside it – with his neighbors.”

As the Armenian ambassador to the EU said, there are facts proving that “hired killers ordered by the Azerbaijani government tried to massacre Azerbaijani oppositionists living there abroad, including in Europe.”

He believes that the ring around Aliyev is tightening:

“I find it difficult to say how many resources Baku has to resist the pressure of the West. The main thing is that illusions of our European partners that it is possible to bring Aliyev personally and his regime to a constructive field on good will are gradually dissipating.”

He mentions the assumption of some analysts who believe that the impunity of the Azerbaijani authorities is explained by the supply of gas and oil to European partners:

“They think they should close their eyes and let Aliyev do what he wants. In fact, we are dealing with the opposite situation. Baku is much more vulnerable because European countries are its major clients, which it cannot lose.”

“Crossroads of Peace” – part of the EU Global Gateways program”

The head of Armenia’s representation in the European Union considers it obvious that neither Turkey, Azerbaijan nor Russia will change their policies towards Armenia in the foreseeable future. Therefore the country’s authorities should develop new programs to reduce vulnerability and increase the level of security. The “Crossroads of Peace” project, which presents Yerevan’s views on unblocking regional communications, announces such a step.

He said that the project might be included in the EU’s new Global Gateways initiative, and it will be an opportunity to attract more investment.

“Next week in Brussels a surprise awaits Azerbaijan in this regard,” he said, without specifying details.

At the same time, the diplomat stressed that the main issue for Armenia remains normalization of relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan and restoration of communications:

“Will the inclusion of the Crossroads of the World project in the EU initiative allow us to exert additional pressure, provide support for the settlement of relations with our neighbors? I think yes.”

“The turn is not toward the West, but toward the national interest”

In the interview, Balayan disagreed with the view that Armenia is turning toward the West to the detriment of relations with Russia. He said it was a turn toward its own national interests:

“And the ratification of the Rome Statute is a reflection of a foreign policy based on those interests.”

In the past, the ambassador explains, Armenia has limited some of its actions based on its national interests, substituting Russian security guarantees:

“But they have not actually worked. And we are simply striving to find new methods to ensure our security. One of its components is the international legal system, of which the International Criminal Court is also a part.”

Accordingly, the ratification of the Rome Statute, he said, is not an anti-Russian move, but is linked “solely to the danger of aggression” from Azerbaijan:

“The raison d’être of the Aliyev regime is hostility towards Armenians. Ethnic cleansing in Artsakh is not enough, now new goals have been set. Our most important task is to confront the challenges that we have been left alone to face.”

It is premature to talk about EU membership

The diplomat says that first we need to understand whether the current political configuration allows us to think about EU membership, whether it is realistic:

“Desire, aspirations are very good, but there are realities that need to be taken into account.”

Armenia, in his opinion, needs several years and even a decade to realize the provisions of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement with the EU. And now European partners are drafting a document called “New Partnership Priorities,” which aims to promote the fulfillment of Armenia’s commitments:

“They proceed from the interests of our country. Today we have a clear policy of deepening cooperation with the EU – so much so that it meets Armenia’s national interests.”

https://jam-news.net/interview-with-tigran-balayan-on-issues-of-importance-for-armenia/

[MosJan]

[Yervant1]

Armenpress.am

Russia believes Armenia should consider its long-term interests in the rapprochement with NATO

17:49, 31 January 2024

YEREVAN, JANUARY 31, ARMENPRESS. Russia believes that Armenia should be guided by long-term interests in the rapprochement with NATO.

The spokesperson of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova said when asked to comment on the words by NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia Javier Colomina, who in an interview with Armenpress mentioned that Armenia has decided to politically and practically activate cooperation with NATO.

“Someone seeking rapprochement, should understand how dangerous it is and what consequences it will lead to. We have already seen what the rapprochement with NATO has led to for many countries: involvement in conflicts, loss of sovereignty and independence, submission to the will of a foreigner in all senses of the word and in all spheres, and most importantly, the lack of opportunity to realize one's own national interests,’’ said Zakharova.

The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry noted that each country, including Armenia, should analyze its national interests, open the map, and see "in which region and between which neighbors" they are. Zakharova emphasized that sovereign countries can make their own decisions about whom they want to get closer to, but it should be taken into account whether this implies a break in relations with regional countries and neighbors.

"It is necessary to study all this and understand what is Armenia's national interest, what is beneficial, what brings short-term benefit, what—medium-term and what brings long-term benefit, and proceed from that, not from promises," said Zakharova.

According to Zakharova, "the West makes promises to everyone," but these promises "never come true."

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1129281.html?fbclid=IwAR1CiVNHhSRGG8Sw456uiIgKuZ0dKjDoUA4QKM63c-iRcmG9MTFhCgBZzd4

[MosJan]

[MosJan]

how do you think this new signs document will affect Armenia or Artsakh ???
Armenia and Artsakh was part of russian impair

[Yervant1]

Armenpress.am

Russia hopes Armenia’s accession to ICC won’t negatively impact ties

14:55, 1 February 2024

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 1, ARMENPRESS. Russia doesn't want Armenia’s accession to the ICC to negatively impact the bilateral ties, the Kremlin has said.

“That’s overall Armenia’s sovereign right,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told RIA Novosti after Armenia officially joined the ICC on February 1. “But on the other hand, for us it is important that such decisions don’t negatively impact, both de jure and de facto, our bilateral relations, which we value and hope to further develop.”

The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) officially entered into force for Armenia on February 1.

The Armenian parliament ratified the Rome Statute in October 2023.

Armenia’s ratification of the Rome Statute caused concerns in Moscow.

On 17 March 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, after an investigation of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in Ukraine. The ICC arrest warrant for Putin accuses the Russian leader of unlawfully deporting thousands of Ukrainian children, a war crime. This has been denied by the Russian government. Countries that are signatories to the Rome Statute would have to enforce the arrest warrant once Putin travels into their territory. Earlier the Russian Foreign Ministry described it as an ‘unfriendly step’ and asked for explanations.

Armenian government officials have numerously said that ratifying the Rome Statute has nothing to do with Russia and is aimed at holding Azerbaijan to account for its aggression against Armenia.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1129354.html?fbclid=IwAR0Zlh-x8fYxW1QYJuT25l4AGjWvk96xOKAzd9pr0bDFYxMbToD8bSbRhMY

[MosJan]

[Yervant1]

Armenpress.am

Russia and Armenia share mutual obligations in preserving territorial integrity and sovereignty: Zakharova

20:31, 7 February 2024

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 7, ARMENPRESS: The Russian Federation and the Republic of Armenia have obligations towards each other, including ensuring territorial integrity, sovereignty preservation and security.

The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova said at a briefing with journalists on February 7, in response to a journalist's question whether Russia had received any signals from Armenia regarding the change of the foreign political vector.

"Our countries continue to be partners, and we hope that the Armenian authorities will take all that into account amidst the current geopolitical changes, making the right choice.

Yerevan is also under collective security guarantees of the CSTO, including in the event of possible military aggression," said Zakharova, emphasizing that there is a legal document base between Russia and Armenia in the fields of security and military-technical cooperation.

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1129814.html?fbclid=IwAR1DmF69gesTM3ZCdBgDfAAZJW-4q2RBwDYQDo0f-tG71nzFKNQNVPZ2umI

[MosJan]

[MosJan]

Alexei Navalny, One of the Kremlin’s Most Vocal Critics, Has Died

[MosJan]

[MosJan]

[MosJan]

[Yervant1]

POLITICO

Feb 22 2024

Russia threatened French planes in the Black Sea, Paris says

Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu said it’s a bid to “intimidate” France.

BY LAURA KAYALI

PARIS — Russia directly threatened French planes in the Black Sea recently, French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu said Thursday.

"A month ago, a Russian air traffic control system threatened to shoot down French aircraft in the Black Sea, even though we were in the internationally free zone in which we patrol," he told French radio RTL.

Lecornu’s comments come as the war in Ukraine is about to enter its third year, amid growing pessimism about the conflict's outcome.

European governments, however, insist that Russian President Vladimir Putin still doesn't have the upper hand. Moscow's increasingly agressive stance "is explained by the fact that Russia is in trouble on the battlefield in Ukraine," Lecornu said.

"This is as old as the Cold War, but we're seeing the return of a particularly aggressive Russian stance," he said, adding that Moscow was "playing with the thresholds."

A Russian warship also recently anchored in Baie de Seine in northern France at the edge of territorial waters in a bid to "intimidate" France, Lecornu said.

The French minister is set to fly to Armenia later Thursday — the first such visit by a French armed forces minister and a sign of France's deepening defense ties with Armenia.

Armenia is edging away from its historical relationship with Moscow and Paris is seeking to increase its influence with former Russian allies, including Moldova and Central Asian countries.

Defense companies including MBDA, Nexter, Safran, Thales and Arquus are in the delegation flying to Armenia with Lecornu.

https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-threatened-french-planes-in-the-black-sea-says-french-minister/

[Yervant1]

Feb 28 2024

Armenia to boycott meetings of Russia-led alliance after membership freeze -TASS cites PM Armenia said on Wednesday it would not attend meetings of a Russian-led military alliance and that it had no permanent representation at the bloc under a "de facto freeze" of its membership, Russian state news agency TASS reported.

Reuters

Armenia said on Wednesday it would not attend meetings of a Russian-led military alliance and that it had no permanent representation at the bloc under a "de facto freeze" of its membership, Russian state news agency TASS reported. "The freezing of relations with the CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organisation) means Armenia does not have a permanent representative to the CSTO and does not participate in events at the high and top levels," TASS quoted Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan as saying during a parliament session.

Armenia is a member of the CSTO, which also includes Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Belarus. But Pashinyan has skipped several recent meetings of the bloc, amid a sharp downturn in relations with the alliance's leading member, Russia. He said last week that Armenia's membership in the CSTO was "frozen", without clarifying what such a freeze meant.

TASS quoted Pashinyan as saying that CSTO membership "creates security problems" for Armenia, and that what he called a "de facto" membership freeze could become "de jure" if Yerevan's concerns were not addressed. Since coming to power in a 2018 revolution, Pashinyan has deepened Armenia's ties with Europe and the United States, repeatedly drawing the ire of traditional ally Russia.

Yerevan has repeatedly said that its alliance with Moscow does not stretch to the war in Ukraine, while Pashinyan has accused Russia of seeking to undermine his government. Armenia accuses Russia of failing to defend it against long-standing rival Azerbaijan, which has drawn closer to Moscow in recent years.

Armenian media on Tuesday reported that the speaker of the country's parliament, a close ally of Pashinyan, suggested that a contingent of Russian border guards that help patrol Armenia's frontiers should be withdrawn. Azerbaijan in September retook the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, prompting an almost total exodus of the territory's ethnic Armenian population. Russia, which had peacekeepers in the region, did not intervene, angering many in Armenia.

 

 

https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/politics/2843522-armenia-to-boycott-meetings-of-russia-led-alliance-after-membership-freeze--tass-cites-pm