Armenia’s Absence Looms Over CSTO Security Summit

The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) held a high-level meeting of its foreign ministers on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan, but the event was overshadowed by the conspicuous absence of Armenia. As the security bloc discussed regional stability amid rising geopolitical tensions, Yerevan’s decision not to attend has fueled speculation about a deepening rift within the Russia-led alliance.

Hosted by Kyrgyzstan’s Foreign Minister Zheenbek Kulubaev, the session officially focused on counter-terrorism, transnational crime, and information security. According to Kulubaev, the ministers adopted several key documents, including a roadmap to enhance cooperation with other regional blocs like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), signaling an effort to project unity and strengthen integration.

However, the void left by Armenia dominated wider discussions. Political scientist Alikbek Dzhekshenkulov described Yerevan’s pivot as the primary challenge facing the organization, warning that Armenia is being used as a tool in an attempt to fracture the bloc. He asserted that the Armenian leadership should consider its geopolitical realities rather than what he called “alluring but deceptive promises” from external actors.

Kyrgyz officials echoed concerns about a deteriorating global security environment. Marat Imankulov, Secretary of the Kyrgyz Security Council, pointed to a range of threats requiring a robust collective response. He cited a military buildup in Eastern Europe, the unresolved conflict in Ukraine, persistent instability in the Middle East, and the ongoing security challenges emanating from Afghanistan. In response, the CSTO is implementing a program to strengthen the Tajik-Afghan border, a key frontline for the alliance.

Imankulov also highlighted the growing danger of hybrid warfare, where sanctions, information attacks, and campaigns to stall integration are used as weapons against member states. He argued that these multifaceted threats only increase the strategic importance of the CSTO for ensuring the sovereignty and stability of its members in an unpredictable world.

Offering a broader perspective, economist Dr. Almaz Nasyrov suggested that the root of modern conflicts is a global struggle for resources. He argued that the world is witnessing a shift away from soft power toward a new paradigm of “security in exchange for resources.” This intense competition for critical minerals, energy, and water, he noted, is the primary driver of the geopolitical turbulence the CSTO is now attempting to navigate.