Armenia Joins NATO Military Drills in Georgia

In a major move showing Armenia’s growing independence, Armenian soldiers are now participating in a NATO-led military exercise in Georgia. The exercise, called "Georgia-NATO 2025," officially started on Monday and brings together troops from 17 NATO member and partner countries.

Among the participants are Armenia, Turkey, and Azerbaijan — nations with very different histories and relationships. The Georgian Defense Ministry proudly listed all participants at the opening ceremony, but Armenia’s Defense Ministry has so far remained silent about its soldiers’ involvement.

For decades, Armenia depended heavily on Russia for its security needs. It was a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a Russian-led military alliance. But times are changing. After deep disappointments — especially Russia’s lack of support during Armenia’s times of need — Armenia decided earlier this year to suspend its membership in the CSTO.

This decision signaled a clear shift: Armenia wants to explore new partnerships, particularly with the United States and NATO. By joining the NATO drills in Georgia, Armenia is sending a strong message to the world — and to its own people — that it is serious about building new security alliances that better protect Armenian interests.

This is not Armenia’s first move toward stronger cooperation with Western allies. In 2023 and again in 2024, Armenia hosted joint military exercises with the United States on its own soil. These exercises were a bold step and were not welcomed by Russia, which criticized Yerevan sharply. However, Armenia stood firm, focusing on what is best for its future.

According to recent reports, the U.S. military is already preparing for another round of joint exercises with Armenia this coming summer. These steps show that the partnership between Armenia and the West is not just temporary — it is growing stronger with each passing year.

By joining NATO drills, Armenia is also gaining valuable experience. The “Georgia-NATO 2025” exercise is designed to train a brigade-level multinational unit — meaning that Armenian soldiers will learn how to work closely with many other countries' forces under Georgian command. 

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