Last updated: May 29, 2026
The Collective Security Treaty Organization is a Russian-led military alliance formed in 1992 among several post-Soviet states, including Armenia. For decades it served as the formal backbone of Armenia’s security architecture, providing the legal basis for basing Russian troops in the country and for collective defense commitments. Armenia’s membership was long treated as the price of Russia’s security umbrella in a volatile region.
The relationship fractured after the 44-Day War of 2020, when Russia brokered the ceasefire but CSTO troops were never deployed to defend Armenia. The September 2023 Azerbaijani offensive against Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) — which resulted in the ethnic cleansing of the entire Armenian population — exposed the alliance’s unwillingness to act on Armenia’s behalf. In 2024, Armenia formally suspended its participation in CSTO activities, effectively freezing its membership without a formal withdrawal.
Groong has covered the deterioration of Armenia’s relationship with the CSTO extensively: from the initial 2020 disillusionment through repeated CSTO summits where Armenia was isolated, the failed mediation attempts, and the domestic and foreign-policy implications of Armenia’s pivot away from the Russian security orbit toward Western security partnerships with France, the EU, and India .
Below are all Groong episodes tagged with CSTO.
Episode 316 | Recorded: March 15, 2024
Episode 316 | Recorded: March 15, 2024
In this clip from episode #313 , we discuss Pashinyan’s bold move towards EU membership is risking its relationships with key allies like Russia and neighboring Iran. Recent statements hint at Armenia’s serious consideration of joining the EU, alongside actions like freezing activity in the CSTO and inviting Russian forces out of an airport.
Join us as we navigate the risks and uncertainties surrounding Armenia’s daring foreign policy decisions.
Episode 314 | Recorded: March 11, 2024
Episode 314 | Recorded: March 11, 2024
In this clip from episode #312 , we discuss a recent Russian-Armenian experts dialogue held in Yerevan, discussions delved into the state of relations between the two nations. Our guest Arthur Khachikyan was one of the participants.
The expert dialogue sparked significant reactions in Armenia, with some media channels expressing negativity towards the candid exchanges that took place. The Russian side was nota bly frank, warning of potential consequences for Armenia’s Western reorientation, referencing past events like Karabakh and suggesting future territorial concerns. The dialogue
Read MoreThe following is a transcript of a clip from episode 311 , where we address the blooming romance (at least as it appears externally) between the Armenia and France, NATO and the collective West.
Episode 311 | Recorded: February 27, 2024
Episode 311 | Recorded: February 27, 2024
Episode 310 | Recorded: February 18, 2024
Episode 310 | Recorded: February 18, 2024
Episode 300 | Recorded: December 31, 2023
Episode 300 | Recorded: December 31, 2023
Episode 296 | Recorded: December 3, 2023
Episode 296 | Recorded: December 3, 2023
Episode 278 | Recorded: September 10, 2023
Episode 278 | Recorded: September 10, 2023
Episode 277 | Recorded: Sep 3, 2023
Episode 277 | Recorded: Sep 3, 2023
Episode 272 | Recorded: August 7, 2023
Episode 272 | Recorded: August 7, 2023
Episode 268 | Recorded: July 10, 2023
Episode 268 | Recorded: July 10, 2023
Episode 264 | Recorded: June 27, 2023
Episode 264 | Recorded: June 27, 2023
Episode 252 | Recorded: June 12, 2023
Episode 252 | Recorded: June 12, 2023
Episode 257 | Recorded: May 30, 2023
Episode 257 | Recorded: May 30, 2023
Episode 256 | Recorded: May 22, 2023
Episode 256 | Recorded: May 22, 2023
Episode 255 | Recorded: May 15, 2023
Episode 255 | Recorded: May 15, 2023
Episode 252 | Recorded: May 9, 2023
Episode 252 | Recorded: May 9, 2023
Episode 251 | Recorded: May 1, 2023
Episode 251 | Recorded: May 1, 2023
Episode 244 | Recorded: April 5, 2023
Episode 244 | Recorded: April 5, 2023
Episode 241 | Recorded: March 26, 2023
Episode 241 | Recorded: March 26, 2023
Episode 240 | Recorded: March 20, 2023
Episode 240 | Recorded: March 20, 2023
Episode 237 | Recorded: March 12, 2023
Episode 237 | Recorded: March 12, 2023
Episode 226 | Recorded: February 19, 2023
Episode 226 | Recorded: February 19, 2023
Episode 224 | Recorded: February 12, 2023
Episode 224 | Recorded: February 12, 2023
Episode 219 | Recorded: January 29, 2023
Episode 219 | Recorded: January 29, 2023
Episode 217 | Recorded: January 24, 2023
Episode 217 | Recorded: January 24, 2023
Episode 206 | Recorded: January 15, 2023
Episode 206 | Recorded: January 15, 2023
âThis is a repeat of Srebrenica. To gradually strangle and force the people to leave.â -Arthur Khachikyan
More than 120,000 people remain trapped in the Republic of Artsakh (or Nagorno-Karabakh)
Read MoreâThis is a repeat of Srebrenica. To gradually strangle and force the people to leave.â -Arthur Khachikyan
More than 120,000 people remain trapped in the Republic of Artsakh (or Nagorno-Karabakh)
Read MoreUsing art to prevent catastrophes instead of reacting to them
Ishkhanyan’s documentary “Sleep art”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzqzPpVsK-g
More than 120,000 people remain trapped in the Republic of Artsakh (or Nagorno-Karabakh) due to Azerbaijanâs blockade of the Lachin (Berdzor) corridor, as this crisis enters its 25th
Read MoreUsing art to prevent catastrophes instead of reacting to them
Ishkhanyan’s documentary “Sleep art”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzqzPpVsK-g
More than 120,000 people remain trapped in the Republic of Artsakh (or Nagorno-Karabakh) due to Azerbaijanâs blockade of the Lachin (Berdzor) corridor, as this crisis enters its 25th
Read MoreEpisode 197 | Recorded: January 3, 2023