The CSTO understands the decision of Armenia not to host the exercises “Indestructible Brotherhood-2023”

CSTO spokesman Vladimir Zainetdinov said that the organization had not received official notification of the cancellation of the Indestructible Brotherhood-2023 exercises, which were supposed to be held in Armenia. At the same time, the press secretary noted, the CSTO is sympathetic to the current situation in Armenia, in connection with which Yerevan will not be able to host exercises in 2023.

“At present, the CSTO Secretariat has not received official notifications from the Armenian side about the cancellation of these exercises in accordance with the procedure established by the organization,” Vladimir Zainetdinov told reporters (quoted by Interfax). “We treat the current situation in the Republic of Armenia with understanding,” he stressed.

January 10 Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan informedthat the country’s Ministry of Defense notified the CSTO Joint Headquarters of its refusal to conduct organization exercises on the territory of the republic at least in 2023. Yerevan considered holding the CSTO exercises inappropriate. In the Kremlin are waiting clarification of the details of the Armenian position.

In September 2022 Armenia refused participate in the CSTO exercises in Kazakhstan. The decision was made in connection with the escalation of the conflict with Azerbaijan.

The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan escalated at the end of 2022. On December 12, Azerbaijani protesters blocked traffic along the Lachin corridor, the only mountainous route that connects Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia. Yerevan reports the risks of a humanitarian crisis as there are food problems in Nagorno-Karabakh. Baku denies this information. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said that the passage is open for citizens and transportation of humanitarian needs.

Read more about the position of the Armenian side in the conflict – in the material “Kommersant” “Armenia is looking for peacekeepers”.

Lusine Balasyan