Peskov says Armenia free to decide whether to leave CSTO

Russia has not yet heard any statement from Yerevan indicating that Armenia intends to withdraw from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has said, according to RIA Novosti.

“So far, we have heard statements from Armenian officials at various levels saying that, yes, membership has been frozen, but Armenia does not yet have plans to withdraw. In any case, that is what we have heard so far,” Peskov said.

According to him, Armenia can leave the CSTO if it no longer sees a need to remain a member of the organization.

“If Yerevan, based on its national interests, no longer sees a need to belong to such an important regional security organization, it is free to make the appropriate decision and withdraw from the organization,” Peskov said, commenting on Nikol Pashinyan’s statement that Yerevan would welcome being removed from the CSTO.