RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan referred to relations with the CSTO, saying that the idea that Russia is the number one ally and guarantor of RA’s security was a cornerstone in the process of RA’s formation.
According to the Prime Minister, their government also perceived it that way, “After the war of 2020, our primary concern and agenda with Russia was the following: we have fears that Azerbaijan will take aggressive actions against the internationally recognized territory of Armenia. This was the main topic of our security sphere communication with Russia. In my opinion, that conversation was very specific, and as a result we received official assurances that the borders of Armenia are a red line for our allies and partners in the security sphere. When the events of the Sotk-Khoznavar sector took place in May 2021, the invasion of the RA territory, we expected specific actions from our partners in the Russian Federation and from our partners in the security sector within the framework of the previously reached agreements. And, in response to our requests and applications, we received an observation that the borders of Armenia and Azerbaijan are not demarcated. In this context, a substantive contradiction has arisen, in that case, where does the red line that we have already recorded in interstate relations cross? In this context, the answer to the question has become important for building further relations.”
According to the Prime Minister, this remains an agenda issue.
Nikol Pashinyan also noted that Azerbaijan clarifies its aggressive actions when communicating with Western countries, saying that they fear that RA and Russia are preparing joint aggressive actions against them, so they are taking preventive steps. “We all know that it is absurd to talk about it, but, on the other hand, against the background of the events in Ukraine, this talk is of some interest. And we draw the attention of our Russian partners to this fact, noting that due to their non-reaction, the military presence of the Russian Federation in Armenia not only does not guarantee the security of the Republic of Armenia, but, on the contrary, creates threats to the security of the Republic of Armenia.
