Putin Caught Off Guard as His 'Mini-NATO' Falls Apart

Russian President Vladimir Putin was caught off guard by Armenia's suspending its membership of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a crucial military alliance for Moscow.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said during an interview with France 24 on Friday that Armenia would leave CSTO, viewed as Putin's response to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a Western military alliance. CSTO is an alliance in which member nations pledge to support one another in the event of an attack and has frequently been referred to as Putin's "mini NATO."

The announcement comes nearly two years to the day that Russia announced its invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Putin initially hoped for a quick victory against Kyiv, whose spirited defense efforts has blocked Russian troops from making substantial gains, leading to a longer conflict. Despite setbacks, Russia has pressed on as U.S. aid to Ukraine, key to its gains, threatens to dry up.

Armenia has raised concerns about Russia not intervening in conflict with neighboring Azerbaijan, including last September after Azerbaijan launched an offensive in the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh territory, an area that has long been claimed by both countries, leading to violent conflict at times.

Pashinyan's announcement is the latest blow to Putin's leadership since the war began.

"The collective security agreement, in our opinion, was not implemented in relation to Armenia, especially in 2021-2022. This could not remain without our attention. We suspended our participation in this agreement. Let's see what happens next," Pashinyan said, reported Russian state media TASS.

Putin, however, has not discussed Armenia's membership with Pashinyan, according to TASS.

Dmitry Peskov said there have "not been any" contacts between the two nations at this point and that Armenian officials did not formally notify Russia about pausing their membership.

"The Armenian side did not take any official actions in this regard. We will contact our colleagues and clarify the meaning of these statements," he said.

Still, he added that Russia plans to "continue our dialogue" with Armenian authorities and that he hopes "our Armenian friends will explain everything to us."

Newsweek reached out to the Russian and Armenian foreign ministries for comment via email.

Armenia's departure from CSTO leaves the alliance with only five active member states—Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

Amid the Russia-Ukraine war, CSTO has seen several challenges that tested its strength. In addition to Armenia's criticism over a lack of aid, Kyrgyzstan in 2022 opted to cancel planned joint military drills with Russia, without giving a reason to not participate in the exercises. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan has said it would not help Russia circumvent Western sanctions imposed on its economy over the Ukraine invasion.

Furthermore, conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan led to the death of Russian peacekeepers in September, adding pressure to the alliance. Tensions between Russia and Armenia also grew over military drills held between Armenia and the U.S., another sign that the country is shifting away from Moscow's influence.