Armenia's “Thoughtless Steps” May Harm Defense Cooperation with Russia, Says Deputy Foreign Minister

Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mikhail Galuzin warned that Armenia's recent decisions could make it impossible to continue joint defense efforts with Russia and other Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) countries. These actions could hinder the creation of a unified defense area, Galuzin said in a recent interview with TASS.

Galuzin suggested that Armenia, or Yerevan, is trying to benefit from the current interest shown by Western countries in strengthening cooperation, including in the security sector. He emphasized that these "thoughtless steps," which might allow Western countries full access to national databases and sensitive security information, could threaten Armenia's sovereignty. This could lead to a situation where returning to collaborative defense work with Russia and other CSTO allies becomes impossible.

Despite these concerns, Galuzin remains confident that Armenia's full participation in the CSTO aligns with the interests of the Armenian people. He believes that this participation helps maintain peace and stability in the South Caucasus. He pointed out that CSTO membership and close military ties with Russia have been key factors in Armenia's development as an independent country over recent decades.

Galuzin stressed that, despite promises from Western nations, there is currently no viable alternative to the CSTO for ensuring Armenia's security. He warned that Western countries, while appearing to support Armenia, might not have its best interests at heart.

He highlighted a fundamental difference between Russia's goals and those of Western countries. While Russia aims to establish solid peace with its neighbors in the South Caucasus, the West seeks to disrupt integration processes in Eurasia. He mentioned that shared integration projects like the CSTO, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) are seen as obstacles by Western countries.

According to Galuzin, Washington and its allies are willing to take any steps, including destabilizing the political and socioeconomic situations of Russia's neighbors, to achieve their goals. He argued that the West benefits from maintaining areas of tension in the post-Soviet space to weaken Russia, which he described as the main guarantor of security in the region.

In summary, Galuzin's interview shows the delicate balance of international relations in the South Caucasus. Armenia's recent actions, influenced by Western interest, could jeopardize its long-standing defense cooperation with Russia and other CSTO countries. As these geopolitical dynamics continue to evolve, the future of Armenia's security and its role in regional stability remains uncertain.