As of: 01/10/2023 6:19 p.m
Recently, it was said from Moscow that the maneuvers of the CSTO military alliance would be held in Armenia in 2023. Armenia’s government has now thwarted that plan. The background is probably the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.
Armenia has canceled planned joint military exercises of the Russian-led security alliance CSTO on its territory. The exercises are “not appropriate in the current situation,” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at a press conference. At least not this year.
Just a week and a half ago, Russia’s Defense Ministry announced that the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) would hold its “Indestructible Brotherhood – 2023” maneuvers in Armenia this year. Other ex-Soviet states such as Belarus and Kazakhstan also belong to the alliance.
Criticism because of the location in the Nagorno-Karabakh region
Pashinyan initially left his exact motives open. However, the move is seen as another sign of increasing tensions between the Armenian government and Moscow. Armenia, which is heavily dependent on Russia as a protecting power, has repeatedly accused Moscow of inaction in the conflict region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
In the fall, Pashinyan refused to sign a final document from a meeting of CSTO members in the Armenian capital, Yerevan.
Particular resentment is caused by the fact that Russian troops stationed in the area are not doing enough to clear the Lachin corridor, which is being blocked by forces from neighboring Azerbaijan. The road corridor is the only connection between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, which is inhabited by regarding 120,000 Armenians.
The Armenian government recently warned of a collapse in medical care in the region. According to media reports, food is also becoming scarce.
Moscow demands an explanation
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow would ask the Armenian government to explain its position on the canceled exercises. Armenia is a close ally and dialogue will continue.
Russia is not only Armenia’s protective power, but also wants to maintain close ties with oil-rich Azerbaijan – not least because of the war of aggression once morest Ukraine and the associated Western sanctions.
