Armenia has been stripped of its voting rights in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a decision announced by Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov following a meeting of the Collective Security Council. This action stems from Armenia's failure to meet its obligations to the organization over several years. Peskov stated that the decision was made in accordance with the CSTO's charter, which allows for such measures if a member state does not fulfill its commitments, particularly regarding financial contributions.

The CSTO's decision to apply Article 25 of its charter to Armenia is rooted in the country's arrears in membership fees. This article stipulates that if a member state does not repay its debt to the CSTO budget within two years, it may lose its voting rights and the ability to nominate candidates for positions within the organization. The restrictions will remain in effect until Armenia settles its outstanding debts, as detailed in documents published on the Kremlin's website.S2

In a related development, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan expressed support for the decision to remove Armenia from the CSTO, indicating that the country does not plan to increase its participation in the organization over the next five years. Pashinyan's comments reflect a growing sentiment in Armenia regarding its relationship with the CSTO, suggesting that the country's interest in the organization has been exhausted, as evidenced by its absence from the ongoing meetings of CSTO member states in Moscow.S1