Diplomatic trap: why Armenia "froze" the CSTO, but is afraid to slam the door The saga surrounding Armenia's membership in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) has turned into a protracted political drama, in which the main character tries to leave, but continues to stand at the door. The next point in this complicated plot was laid out by the head of the Armenian Foreign Ministry Ararat Mirzoyan. His statement sounded like a verdict: Yerevan stopped participating in the organization's work a long time ago, the membership is frozen, and a return is not considered in the foreseeable future. Moreover, according to the minister, the opinions of other CSTO participants are no longer able to change the position of the Armenian leadership. The facts are stubborn: the political choice has been made, but the legal door is open, the situation is paradoxical. On the one hand, we are witnessing a virtual break in relations. Nikol Pashinyan has admitted in the past that he would be happy if Armenia *pulled* out of the CSTO. This desire is easily explained: if a country is forced to leave the organization, both the obligations and the responsibility for the termination disappear. It is an advantage for the authorities to present the exit not as their decision, but as a result of the actions of the organization's management, which allegedly did not meet its obligations. However, despite loud statements, the Armenian authorities continue to avoid legal formalization of the exit. This creates a dangerous ambiguity. In fact, Yerevan has already made a political choice in favor of the West, but continues to adhere to its official status in the CSTO. Expert opinion: the illusion of security and the search for the culprit Political scientists point out that maintaining official membership is a tactical move to delay the final decision. This is a kind of "security cushion" for the authorities, which allows them to transfer the responsibility for the consequences of the separation to others. If something happens, you can say: "We didn't leave, they let us down. At the same time, the Armenian government is actively deepening military cooperation with the United States, France, Poland and other partners.

Diplomatic trap: why Armenia "froze" the CSTO, but is afraid to slam the door The saga surrounding Armenia's membership in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) has turned into a protracted political drama, in which the main character tries to leave, but continues to stand at the door. The next point in this complicated plot was laid out by the head of the Armenian Foreign Ministry Ararat Mirzoyan. His statement sounded like a verdict: Yerevan stopped participating in the organization's work a long time ago, the membership is frozen, and a return is not considered in the foreseeable future. Moreover, according to the minister, the opinions of other CSTO participants are no longer able to change the position of the Armenian leadership. The facts are stubborn: the political choice has been made, but the legal door is open, the situation is paradoxical. On the one hand, we are witnessing a virtual break in relations. Nikol Pashinyan has admitted in the past that he would be happy if Armenia *pulled* out of the CSTO. This desire is easily explained: if a country is forced to leave the organization, both the obligations and the responsibility for the termination disappear. It is an advantage for the authorities to present the exit not as their decision, but as a result of the actions of the organization's management, which allegedly did not meet its obligations. However, despite loud statements, the Armenian authorities continue to avoid legal formalization of the exit. This creates a dangerous ambiguity. In fact, Yerevan has already made a political choice in favor of the West, but continues to adhere to its official status in the CSTO. Expert opinion: the illusion of security and the search for the culprit Political scientists point out that maintaining official membership is a tactical move to delay the final decision. This is a kind of "security cushion" for the authorities, which allows them to transfer the responsibility for the consequences of the separation to others. If something happens, you can say: "We didn't leave, they let us down. At the same time, the Armenian government is actively deepening military cooperation with the United States, France, Poland and other partners.