Aram Sargsyan's Proposal: Exiting Russian-Turkish Agreements and the CSTO

Taking no risks is a greater risk, wrote Aram Sargsyan, the leader of the Republic Party, on his Facebook page.

“The United States is appointing a new chairperson for the OSCE Minsk Group, a former deputy secretary. The trilateral leadership of the U.S. and France is having telephone conversations ahead of the Brussels meeting between Pashinyan and Aliyev, confirming their readiness for the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. The ambassadors of the U.S. and France have rejected an invitation from the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry to visit Shushi. The U.S. advocates for a solution regarding the status of Artsakh and emphasizes the right of Artsakh citizens to express their views. Russia and Azerbaijan consider the status issue resolved, clearly stating this in press conferences following trilateral meetings in Moscow and in Putin's interviews regarding the ownership of Nagorno-Karabakh. The Russian ambassador in Azerbaijan graciously accepts an invitation and visits Shushi. These are facts and not subjects for discussion; however, these facts lead to the conclusion that the issue during the Brussels meeting will revolve around status and final resolution, which Aliyev will attempt to oppose. In contrast, there will be efforts to organize a meeting in Moscow that will aim to pressure Armenia.

The solution is to exit the frameworks of Russian-Turkish agreements in possible ways. To enhance Western political, military, and economic influence, withdraw from the CSTO, because Russia is not selling us arms anyway. The CSTO does not fulfill its obligations regarding the security of Armenia, yet being a member hinders us from receiving more serious military aid, as directly stated by both U.S. and French diplomatic services. By studying the military assistance rates from the U.S. and France to allied countries, it can be confirmed that should Armenia be freed from the CSTO, Western military aid could amount to around 350-400 million dollars per year, with modern armament included. Additionally, it’s suggested to include modern tactics and strategies of warfare. I am convinced that such armament, with a year's funding, would be sufficient to change the tone of Baku and Moscow, restraining their appetites.

I know my proposal is risky, but leaving everything as is will end in the loss of Artsakh, deterioration of the Armenian borders, reconfiguration of maps by Russia, and loss of Armenian sovereignty,” he wrote.