Armenian Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan has stated that his country may begin the procedure for withdrawing from the Collective Security Treaty Organization ( CSTO). The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) is a military-political alliance of several post-Soviet states, created in 2002 under the leadership of Russia, which functions as an attempt to create a counterweight to NATO. The bloc includes Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Armenia suspended its participation in 2024. ) and the Eurasian Economic Union ( EAEU The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is an international organization of regional economic integration, created in 2014 at the initiative of Russia to strengthen its influence in the post-Soviet space. It has been operating since January 1, 2015, ensuring the free movement of goods, services, capital and labor. It includes: Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan. ) if Russia raises prices for gas supplies.
He stated this at a briefing before an extraordinary meeting of the Civil Contract party, commenting on the meeting between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, Armenian news agency NEWS.am reports.
According to him, “such conversations are not new,” and expressed his belief that there will be no price increases.
“But I don't think it will come to that, because I also know that after that there was a very good, productive and fruitful conversation between the leaders of the countries. I hope that the Prime Minister will tell you which part he considers correct, but at the same time, yes, I recognize that this conversation is not often brought up for public review at meetings between the two countries, but at the same time, the Prime Minister of Armenia expressed the opinion and the opinion of Armenia,” said Simonyan.
He noted that Armenia “has not done anything against Russia, is not doing anything, and does not plan to do anything” in the future, but at the same time will defend its own state interests.