Russia warns Armenia of heavy losses if it exits CSTO bloc

Armenia stands to lose a great deal if it decides to withdraw from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), Russian Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko told reporters following a visit to Vietnam, TASS news agency reported.

While noting that retaining membership in the security alliance remains Yerevan's sovereign decision, Matviyenko warned that exiting the bloc would carry significant costs. She added that Armenia's aspirations to join the European Union are incompatible with its continued membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

Yerevan announced a freeze on its participation in the CSTO in February 2024, and was stripped of its voting rights in the organization during a summit held in Moscow a day earlier.