Russia displeased with Armenia’s joint military exercises with the U.S.
12 September, 2023 Armies of Armenia and the USA on exercises. September 2023. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Armenia
The Russian leadership is dissatisfied with Armenia's joint exercises with the United States. On September 11, the Eagle Partner military exercises, aimed at "increasing the level of operational interoperability", began in Armenia. The exercises will last until September 20 at Armenian training grounds.
About 85 American and 175 Armenian servicemen will take part in the exercise. The training was preceded by an exchange of notable statements. In early September, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in an interview with the Italian newspaper La Repubblica that Armenia's focus only on Russia was a strategic mistake and that Russia could completely withdraw from the region.
Armenian and U.S. military at a training exercise. September 2023. Photo credits: Armenian Ministry of Defense
Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Armenia's decision not to conduct exercises with the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and instead work with the United States requires "very deep analysis."
"Of course, we will try to comprehend and understand all this. But in any case, we will do this in a close partnership dialogue with the Armenian side," Peskov said. When asked whether Russia is ready to defend Armenia if the country's territory is attacked, Peskov emphasized that Russia has obligations under the CSTO.
"If we are talking about the territory of Armenia, you know we have obligations under the CSTO. You also know that after Armenia recognized the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan within the 1991 borders, circumstances changed a bit, so this should also be taken into account. It was Yerevan's decision," he explained.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that "we see nothing good in the fact that an aggressive NATO country is trying to get into the South Caucasus."
The Armenian and US military at a training exercise. September 2023. Photo credits: Armenian Ministry of Defense
"I don't think it's good for anyone, including Armenia itself," Lavrov said.
As previously reported, Armen Grigoryan, Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia, said that the Collective Security Treaty Organization's membership created problems for the country.