Armenia refuses to contribute funds to CSTO

Armenian authorities have notified the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) secretariat that the country would not contribute to the organization’s funding, as reported by the Sputnik Armenia news agency, citing the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

«The Armenian side has officially notified the CSTO Secretariat that it refrains from signing the resolution on the 2025 CSTO budget and, subsequently, from financing the organization’s activities,» the agency said in a statement.

In February 2024, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan accused CSTO of reluctance to protect Armenia’s sovereignty and stated that Yerevan had frozen its participation in the organization. In May 2024, Pashinyan declared that Armenia would not fund the organization’s activities.  

So far, Armenia has not been taking part in CSTO exercises for a year. However, CSTO Secretary General Imangali Tasmagambetov noted that the organization still maintains contacts with the country and remains its ally.

Six countries are members of the CSTO: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan Russia and Tajikistan.