Russian President Appears to Be Confused

By KRIKOR KHODANIAN

During last week’s meeting of the heads of state of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in Astana, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a controversial statement while answering questions from journalists. He asserted that the CSTO was not obligated to intervene in the Karabakh conflict, claiming that Armenia was not subjected to external aggression during the hostilities. “The CSTO has nothing to do with it, as external aggression was not directed against Armenia, and the CSTO’s purpose is to protect member states from such aggression,” he said.

Armenia, notably absent from this CSTO meeting, has frozen its participation in the Organization, accusing it of failing to meet its obligations. In September 2022, Azerbaijan launched a large-scale offensive on Armenia’s sovereign territory, seeking to forcibly establish the so-called “Zangezur Corridor.” In response, Armenia formally appealed to the CSTO for assistance under its regulations, citing an external attack on a member state. Despite this plea, the CSTO failed to act. While Azerbaijan did not achieve its primary objective, it managed to seize and retain significant portions of Armenian territory.

At the time, CSTO leadership, dominated by Moscow, attempted to justify its inaction by pointing to the unresolved demarcation of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, even though Russia itself had repeatedly claimed to possess definitive maps of the boundary. Now, Putin’s latest remarks contradict the CSTO’s earlier rationale, offering a new interpretation that appears detached from reality.

It is worth noting that Armenia did not seek CSTO assistance during the 44-day war in Karabakh or other related developments. However, the Organization’s failure to respond during Azerbaijan’s incursions into Armenia’s sovereign territory has strained relations between Yerevan and Moscow.

Since freezing its participation in the CSTO, Armenia has pursued policies prioritizing its national interests and sovereignty, including exploring alternative sources of military support. High-ranking Russian officials have repeatedly attempted to dissuade Armenia from this path, warning of potential repercussions. Nevertheless, Armenia’s disengagement from the CSTO has facilitated opportunities to deepen military ties with Western countries and acquire more advanced weaponry.

Putin’s latest statement, which diverges significantly from the facts, raises questions about whether he is genuinely misinformed or deliberately attempting to mislead public opinion within Russia or among CSTO member states. Either scenario further erodes Russia’s reputation among Armenians, who once regarded it as a key strategic ally.

“MASSIS”