Pashinyan says Yerevan would respect CSTO expulsion decision

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Thursday that Armenia would have no choice but to acknowledge a decision to expel it from the Moscow-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) if member states moved forward with such an action.

“There is a mechanism for leaving the CSTO, and if member countries decide to remove us, we will be obliged to take note of that decision. There is nothing else we can do,” Pashinyan told reporters during a government briefing.

Responding to questions about the absence of congratulations from Russia on his party’s victory in the June 7 parliamentary elections, Pashinyan described President Vladimir Putin as a “rational man” who bases decisions on facts and arguments. He said any concerns Moscow may have would be addressed patiently.

Pashinyan underscored that Armenia remains active in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), participating in both the Intergovernmental Council and the Supreme Economic Council. He added that Russian observers were part of a recent monitoring mission and had already issued their conclusions.

“The rest is a matter of rhetoric and we will discuss it,” he said.