CSTO could consider ‘various scenarios’ if Armenia continues not paying budget contributions, says Russian official

CSTO member states could consider “various scenarios” if Armenia doesn’t pay its contribution to the bloc’s budget, according to a senior Russian official.

Armenia, officially a CSTO member, froze its membership citing the bloc’s failure to respond to the 2021 and 2022 Azeri invasions. 

Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Alexandr Pankin, in an interview with RIA Novosti, emphasized that Armenia is still a member of the CSTO despite the suspension of its membership. 

“Yerevan has not notified us about withdrawing. They are not planning to withdraw, they have frozen their activities, but at the same time they are still a member of the CSTO,” Pankin said, expressing hope that the situation between Armenia and the CSTO will be resolved. He said that Yerevan and Moscow maintain “dialogue” over the matter.

“We always expect the best. We are engaged in dialogue with Yerevan in the entire agenda, bilaterally, regionally and internationally,” Pankin said.

Speaking about Armenia’s membership contributions, the Russian official said if Yerevan doesn’t pay its budget contribution until the end of 2025 the remaining member states “could consider various scenarios, but most probably they will not expel anyone.”

“By January 1 [2026] there could be a situation for member states to consider various scenarios in case of [Armenia] not having paid for two years,” he added.

Armenia has frozen participation in the CSTO, including budget contributions, as well as attending its events and trainings.