If Armenia quits CSTO, it will be left alone with all its geopolitical opponents — Bogdan Bezpalko

Speaking with Alpha News, Russian political scientist Bogdan Bezpalko commented on Nikolay Bordyuzha’s statement that Armenia’s suspension of membership in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) is a huge mistake.

“As far as I know, the CSTO headquarters has not received any documents from the Armenian authorities notifying of Armenia’s withdrawal from the organization. Based on the real policy, the statements of the Armenian authorities can be regarded as unfriendly towards Russia and the CSTO. There is actually no such procedure as suspension, but it is obvious that Armenia has stopped participating in a number of events that are being held in the CSTO. And, perhaps, in the future it will really leave the organization.

Mr. Bordyuzha reacted to this, unequivocally assessing it as harmful both for the organization and for Armenia, because Armenia has nothing to rely on except the CSTO. Russia has always been a truly conscientious partner and supplied Armenia with weapons at domestic prices,” the expert said.

According to the political scientist, by spoiling relations with Russia, Armenia will lose in all aspects.

“In this situation, there is no reason to accuse Russia of non-interference in the conflict on the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, since this territory was not recognized as an independent state or as an Armenian territory by the authorities of the Republic of Armenia themselves. Therefore, if Armenia quits the CSTO and remains alone, it will have no one to count on.

Neither France, the United States, nor NATO will defend Armenia in such a format and on such a scale as Russia and its allies within the CSTO are ready to do. I am convinced that by spoiling relations with Russia, Armenia will lose in all other aspects, in particular in trade, industry and others. If Armenia quits the organization, it will lose economically and will be left alone with all its geopolitical opponents,” Bezpalko concluded.