MOSCOW — Nikolay Bordyuzha, the former Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), has stated that Armenia should be removed from the military alliance.

Speaking to the Russian news agency RIA Novosti, Bordyuzha argued that while Armenia currently abstains from the bloc's activities, it technically remains a full member—a status that legally forces all alliance decisions to be coordinated with Yerevan.

"If they suspend their participation but do not withdraw from the organization, they remain a full member of the CSTO," Bordyuzha stated. "And if they are a full member, it means that all decisions adopted by the CSTO—which require consensus—must be made by taking their position into account as well. Yet, as it stands, that position essentially runs counter to the activities of the CSTO."

Bordyuzha asserted that the correct path forward would be for Armenia to withdraw from the organization entirely. Failing a voluntary departure, the former Secretary General insisted that the bloc must take decisive action to expel the Caucasus nation.

"I would expel them," Bordyuzha said. "They do not pay their membership dues, nor do they participate in the organization's activities. If we approach this matter seriously—assuming they are truly serious partners—they should simply withdraw from the organization. But since they maintain an ambivalent stance—neither leaving, nor engaging, nor participating, nor wishing to participate—they ought to be expelled."

The CSTO, a regional security alliance, comprises Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Armenia. However, Yerevan has frozen its participation in the organization since September 2023. Following the recall of its envoy Viktor Biyagov, Armenia has notably left its permanent representative seat vacant.

The political deadlock persists despite earlier clarifications from Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who noted that Yerevan does not actively exercise a veto over CSTO decisions but remains prepared to strengthen relations with its partners. According to Yerevan, the freezing of Armenia’s participation stems from the fact that the CSTO failed to fulfill its security obligations during regional conflicts.

Photo: Vitaly Belousov/RIA Novosti