Armenia loses voting rights in CSTO over unpaid membership fees

MOSCOW – Armenia has been stripped of its voting rights and its ability to nominate candidates for senior positions within the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), following a decision adopted at the organization’s summit in Moscow.

The measure was introduced under Article 25 of the CSTO Charter after Armenia failed to pay its membership contributions for two consecutive years.

CSTO Secretary General Taalatbek Masadykov clarified that Armenia’s expulsion was not under consideration. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had previously stated that Armenia would retain its rights under the organization’s collective security framework despite the suspension of its voting privileges.

Armenia froze its participation in the CSTO in 2024, citing the organization’s failure to fulfil its security obligations, particularly during periods of Azerbaijani military pressure against Armenian territory.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has repeatedly declared that Armenia’s interest in the organization has ended. He recently indicated that he would welcome a decision to expel the country.

Despite these statements, Yerevan has not formally withdrawn from the alliance.

The latest development further underscores the deterioration of Armenian-Russian relations while raising questions about the country’s long-term defence arrangements and the security partnerships intended to replace its increasingly inactive relationship with the CSTO.