Russia MFA rules out possibility of Armenia withdrawing from CSTO

There is no question of Armenia's withdrawal from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). Viktor Vasilyev, ambassador-at-large for the CSTO at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, told RIA Novosti about this.

The Russian diplomat noted that the CSTO's attention today is focused on the implementation of the decisions of the CSTO Collective Security Council meeting held last November, and that all countries of this bloc participate in these activities.

"The documents adopted during the above-mentioned meeting of the CSTO Collective Security Council, in which the Armenian side did not participate, are now under discussion in Yerevan. Regarding some of those documents, there is the agreement of the Armenian side, from which it can be concluded that there is no question of Armenia's withdrawal from the CSTO," Vasilyev said.

When asked about Yerevan's non-participation in the CSTO events, the Russian diplomat noted that it was the choice of the Armenian leadership, although it was made under pressure.

"In many ways, this situation is the result of both pressure from Western countries and the understandable emotions of the leadership and residents of Armenia," he noted.

Vasilyev expressed hope, however, that sooner or later the voice of reason will win over emotions.