Russia has proposed temporarily suspending Armenia’s voting rights within the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO). The matter was tabled for discussion at the summit in Moscow on 11 November 2026. Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary to the President of the Russian Federation, stated that the organisation would respond to Yerevan’s refusal to participate in its work. This was reported by Hromadske Radio Armenia and Ukrinform. The initiative stems from the fact that Armenia has not paid its membership fees since 2024 and has effectively ceased participating in the CSTO’s activities. At the same time, political relations between Yerevan and Moscow are deteriorating against the backdrop of a reorientation of Armenian foreign policy and the development of cooperation with Western partners.
Why does Russia want to restrict Armenia’s rights within the CSTO?
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov On 10 November, it was reported that the CSTO member states had drawn up a draft resolution on the temporary suspension of Armenia voting rights.
According to Lavrov, Yerevan has not paid its contributions to the organisation’s budget for over two years. Moscow is proposing to invoke Article 25 of the CSTO Charter, which allows for the restriction of a state’s rights in the event of such arrears.
In addition to its voting rights, Armenia may lose the right to nominate its representatives for posts allocated under the organisation’s quotas. The restrictions are to remain in force until the debt is repaid.
Peskov On 11 November, he stated that the CSTO would respond to Armenia’s de facto refusal to participate in its work. At the same time, Lavrov emphasised that Russia had no plans to seek its expulsion Yerevan from the defence sector.
Why have relations between Armenia and Russia deteriorated?
Contradictions between Moscow and Yerevan escalated following the hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The Armenian authorities have accused the CSTO of failing to fulfil its collective security obligations, in particular due to what Yerevan considers to be an inadequate response to the events on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border in 2021–2022.
In February 2024, Armenia announced that it was suspending its participation in the organisation. Since then, the country has not taken part in its meetings or military exercises.
On 5 November 2026, the Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that Armenia’s interest in the CSTO had finally run its course.
Despite this, the Russian 102nd Military Base in Gyumri continues to operate on Armenian territory. It remains a key element of bilateral military cooperation, even following the suspension of the country’s participation in the CSTO.
Putin compared Armenia to Ukraine and demanded that it make up its mind regarding the EU
An important clarification: the call for a referendum was indeed made previously, but it concerned a choice between the European Union and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), not between NATO and the CSTO.
At the end of May 2026 Putin and other EAEU leaders called on Armenia to hold such a referendum. According to the Associated Press, they also warned of the possible economic consequences of Yerevan’s rapprochement with the European Union.
During a speech following the EAEU summit on 29 May, Putin also drew parallels between Armenia’s foreign policy and the events in Ukraine that preceded the Russian aggression.
However, these statements do not constitute evidence that Russia is preparing a military attack on Armenia. At present, no verified sources have reported a confirmed decision by the Kremlin to launch military action against Yerevan.
What will happen next with Armenia’s membership?
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will not be attending the CSTO summit in Moscow on 11 November. However, Armenia remains a formal member of the organisation, as it has not submitted an official application to withdraw.
A decision to restrict its rights requires the consent of the member states. The Russian representative to the CSTO had previously confirmed that such a decision must be taken by consensus.
At the time of the check, it had been reliably confirmed that the issue of stripping Armenia of its voting rights had been placed on the summit’s agenda. One Russian publication has already reported that a decision has been taken, but there is currently insufficient independent confirmation that it has been finalised.
Future relations between Moscow and Yerevan will depend on official decisions by the CSTO, the position of the Armenian government and the development of Armenia’s cooperation with its Western partners.
