Pashinyan has already been morally expelled from CSTO, military columnist says

Speaking with Alpha News, Russian military columnist Viktor Baranets commented on the current level of Armenian-Russian military-political relations and the neglect of the CSTO activities by the Armenian authorities.

“It is quite obvious that this is a reflection of the anti-Russian and anti-CSTO policy that Pashinyan pursues now. In general, he is playing this dangerous game. You know, we already got used to his whims, and basically, he has already been expelled from the CSTO members. Morally, so far only morally. Pashinyan is pivoting Armenia away from Russia. This, as they say, is his right and his decision. And who will regret it and when, history will show us,” Baranets said.

Commenting on the refusal of the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Minister of Defense of Armenia to attend the CSTO summit, Baranets wondered what this could lead to.

“The refusal of the Defense Minister and the Foreign Minister to attend the meeting is the same old story. Armenia is also pivoting away from Russia. Armenia is moving away from the CSTO. It pursues an independent policy, and, most likely, which is obvious, Armenia longs for rapprochement with NATO and, in particular, with the United States. This has been expected for a long time. And we, in general, are not sad about it. For us, perhaps, there will be some charges—I repeat, some charges—when soon Pashinyan, if he remains Prime Minister by then and the opposition does not kick him out, will expel our military base and 5000 Russian border guards from Armenia. So, Armenians, get ready, prepare 5,000 border guards, and get ready to stand at the Armenian border yourselves,” Baranets said.

According to him, reasonable forces in Armenia can still save Armenian-Russian cooperation, and not everything is lost.

“The serious fight of the United States for Armenia has already begun a long time ago. Moreover, the fight is going quite successfully. We see the challenges that Yerevan creates in front of our military base, conducting joint exercises with the same Americans. Well, dear friends, this is how it happened historically. Armenia is not Pashinyan. Pashinyan is not Armenia. For now, we will not hold a funeral for Armenia as part of the CSTO. We still have hope. And above all, we rely on the healthy part of the Armenian people,” Baranets concluded.