Pashinyan criticized the CSTO for failing to fulfill its obligations and accused its members of colluding with Azerbaijan against Armenia.

Armenia's decision to leave the CSTO follows perceived failures by the alliance to intervene during Azerbaijan's attack on Armenia in 2022 and the alleged inadequacy of Russian peacekeeping efforts in Nagorno-Karabakh during the conflict with Azerbaijan last year.

In response, Armenia had previously announced the suspension of its membership in the alliance, recalled its representatives, and refused to contribute financially to the CSTO's budget. Despite this, Russia has insisted that Armenia is obligated to fulfill its financial obligations to the organization.

Instead of relying solely on Russia, Pashinyan's government has sought closer ties with the West, conducting joint military exercises with US forces, appealing for assistance to strengthen Armenia's democratic institutions, and expressing potential interest in joining the European Union. As a result, Russian border guards have been withdrawn from Armenia's borders with neighboring countries.

However, analysts like Vasif Huseynov from Azerbaijan's AIR Center think tank suggest that Armenia's economic reliance on Russia makes a complete departure from Moscow's influence unrealistic at this stage. Russia maintains significant control over Armenia's trade, energy, and infrastructure sectors.