Collective Security Treaty Organization

The CSTO holds yearly military command exercises for the CSTO nations to have an opportunity to improve inter-organizational cooperation. The largest of such exercises was held in Southern Russia and central Asia in 2011, consisting of more than 10,000 troops and 70 combat aircraft.{{cite web |author=Miller |first=Jonathan Berkshire |date=23 September 2011 |title=Russia Launches War Games |url=https://thediplomat.com/flashpoints-blog/2011/09/23/russia-launches-war-games/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926214324/https://thediplomat.com/flashpoints-blog/2011/09/23/russia-launches-war-games/ |archive-date=26 September 2011 |access-date=26 September 2011 |work=The Diplomat}}

Similar to NATO, the CSTO maintains a Parliamentary Assembly.{{cite news |title=Iran, other states might become observers at CSTO parliamentary assembly — Naryshkin |url=https://tass.com/world/758407 |publisher=TASS |date=6 November 2014 |access-date=7 June 2022 |archive-date=7 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607211418/https://tass.com/world/758407 |url-status=live }} CSTO employs a "rotating presidency" system in which the country leading the CSTO alternates every year.{{Cite web |title=Kyrgyzstan to take over CSTO presidency after Moscow summit in December |url=http://tass.com/archive/685227 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527081252/http://www.itar-tass.com/en/c154/569688.html/ |archive-date=27 May 2013 |access-date=2 January 2013 |website=TASS}} In order to deploy military bases of a third country in the territory of the CSTO member-states, it is necessary to obtain the official consent of all its members.{{cite news |author=Radyuhin |first=Vladimir |date=22 December 2011 |title=CSTO tightens foreign base norms |newspaper=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/csto-tightens-foreign-base-norms/article2735791.ece |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=22 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130214035150/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-international/article2736607.ece |archive-date=14 February 2013}}

The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) maintains a peacekeeping force that has been deployed to areas of conflict, including Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. The force is composed of troops from member states and is designed to provide stability and security in the region.

On 6 October 2007, CSTO members agreed to a major expansion of the organization that would create a CSTO peacekeeping force that could deploy under a United Nations mandate or without one in its member states. The expansion would also allow all members to purchase Russian weapons at the same price as Russia.{{cite web|url=http://www.kommersant.com/p812422/CIS_CSTO_Russia_Lebedev/|title=Gendarme of Eurasia – Kommersant Moscow|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201214505/http://www.kommersant.com/p812422/CIS_CSTO_Russia_Lebedev/|archivedate=1 February 2014}}

In January 2022, the CSTO deployed 2,000 of its peacekeepers to Kazakhstan to quell the local unrest.{{cite news |last1=Grynszpan |first1=Emmanuel |title=Moscow's influence wanes in Central Asian countries |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2022/06/07/moscow-s-waning-influence-with-central-asian-countries_5985908_4.html |publisher=Le Monde |date=7 June 2022 |access-date=7 June 2022 |archive-date=7 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607221014/https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2022/06/07/moscow-s-waning-influence-with-central-asian-countries_5985908_4.html |url-status=live }}

{{main|Collective Rapid Reaction Force}}

On 4 February 2009, an agreement to create the Collective Rapid Reaction Force (KSOR) (Russian: Коллекти́вные си́лы операти́вного реаги́рования (КСОР)) was reached by five of the seven members, with plans finalized on 14 June. The force is intended to be used to repulse military aggression, conduct anti-terrorist operations, fight transnational crime and drug trafficking, and neutralize the effects of natural disasters.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20141224155135/http://www.thefastertimes.com/defensespending/2009/10/30/with-russian-prodding-csto-begins-taking-shape/ With Russian Prodding, CSTO Begins Taking Shape]}} Retrieved on 24 November 2009

Belarus and Uzbekistan initially refrained from signing on to the agreement. Belarus did so because of a trade dispute with Russia, and Uzbekistan due to general concerns. Belarus signed the agreement the following October, while Uzbekistan has never done so. A source in the Russian delegation said Uzbekistan would not participate in the collective force on a permanent basis but would "delegate" its detachments to take part in operations on an ad hoc basis.

On 3 August 2009, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan criticized plans by Russia to establish a military base in southern Kyrgyzstan for the CSTO rapid reaction force, stating, {{blockquote|The implementation of such projects on complex and unpredictable territory, where the borders of three Central Asian republics directly converge, may give impetus to the strengthening of militarization processes and initiate all kinds of nationalistic confrontations. […] Also, it could lead to the appearance of radical extremist forces that could lead to serious destabilization in this vast region.[http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insightb/articles/eav080409a.shtml Tashkent Throws Temper Tantrum over New Russian Base in Kyrgyzstan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100516011014/http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insightb/articles/eav080409a.shtml |date=16 May 2010 }}, EurasiaNet, 3 August 2009}}

{{Supranational PostSoviet Bodies|size=400px|align=right}}

On 15 May 1992, six post-Soviet states belonging to the Commonwealth of Independent States — Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan—signed the Collective Security Treaty (also referred to as the Tashkent Pact or Tashkent Treaty).{{Cite journal |last1=Legvold |first1=Robert |last2=Arbatov |first2=Alexei |last3=Kaiser |first3=Karl |date=2000 |title=Russia and the West: The 21st Century Security Environment (Eurasia in the 21st Century, Vol. I) |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/20049696 |journal=Foreign Affairs |language=en |volume=79 |issue=2 |pages=622 |doi=10.2307/20049696|jstor=20049696 }}{{Cite web|title=Multilateral Treaty on collective security. Concluded at Tashkent on 15 May 1992. Correction of 18 May 1995 of the above-mentioned Treaty. Correction of 9 October 1995 of the above-mentioned Treaty|url=https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/UNTS/Volume%201894/volume-1894-I-32307-Other.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109143524/https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/UNTS/Volume%201894/volume-1894-I-32307-Other.pdf |archive-date=9 January 2022 }} Three other post-Soviet states—Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Georgia—acceded in 1993 and the treaty took effect in 1994. The CST was set to last for a 5-year period unless extended. On 2 April 1999, six of the nine—all but Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Uzbekistan—agreed to renew the treaty for five more years. At the same time, Uzbekistan joined the GUAM group, established in 1997 by Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Moldova, and largely seen as intending to counter Russian influence in the region.{{cite web |last=Blua |first=Antoine |date=18 June 2002 |title=Uzbekistan: Tashkent Withdraws From GUUAM, Remaining Members Forge Ahead |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/1100023.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113180237/https://www.rferl.org/a/1100023.html |archive-date=13 November 2020 |access-date=13 November 2020 |website=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty}}

The CSTO was founded in 2002 when the six member states agreed to create the Collective Security Treaty Organization as a military alliance.{{cite web|url=https://odkb-csto.org/25years/|title=From Treaty to Organization|access-date=12 January 2022|archive-date=5 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805173941/https://www.odkb-csto.org/25years/|url-status=live}} As an attempt to develop a successor alliance to the Warsaw Pact, the CSTO is comparatively weak.{{Cite book |last=Gärtner |first=Heinz |url= |title=China and Eurasian powers in a Multipolar World Order 2.0: Security, Diplomacy, Economy and Cyberspace |date=2023 |publisher=Routledge |others=Mher Sahakyan |isbn=978-1-003-35258-7 |edition= |location=New York |pages=xxiv |chapter=Great Power Conflict |oclc=1353290533}}

In 2004 the CSTO was granted Observer status in the UN General Assembly.{{cite web |title=Collective Security Treaty Organization |url=https://en.odkb-csto.org/25years/ |access-date=29 August 2023}}

During 2005, the CSTO partners conducted some common military exercises.

File:CSTO and EAEC leaders 2006.jpg leaders in 2006]]

Uzbekistan withdrew from GUAM in 2005 and joined the CSTO in 2006 as a full member and its membership was later ratified by the Uzbek parliament on 28 March 2008.{{cite web |url=http://www.eurasianhome.org |title=IIS7 |access-date=2014-12-24 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227124643/http://www.eurasianhome.org/ |archivedate=27 February 2014}}

In October 2007, the CSTO signed an agreement with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), in the Tajik capital of Dushanbe, to broaden cooperation on issues such as security, crime, and drug trafficking.{{Cite web |title=Security alliances led by Russia, China link up |url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007%5C10%5C06%5Cstory_6-10-2007_pg4_3 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130911070120/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007%5C10%5C06%5Cstory_6-10-2007_pg4_3 |archive-date=11 September 2013 |access-date=6 October 2007}}

On 6 October 2007, CSTO members agreed to a major expansion of the organization that would create a CSTO peacekeeping force that could deploy under a U.N. mandate or without one in its member states. The expansion would also allow all members to purchase Russian weapons at the same price as Russia.{{Cite web |date=8 October 2007 |title=Gendarme of Eurasia |url=http://www.kommersant.com/p812422/CIS_CSTO_Russia_Lebedev/ |access-date= |website=Kommersant|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201214505/http://www.kommersant.com/p812422/CIS_CSTO_Russia_Lebedev/ |archive-date=1 February 2014 }}

On 29 August 2008, Russia announced it would seek CSTO recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Three days earlier, on 26 August, Russia recognized the independence of Georgia's breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.{{cite web |last=Halpin |first=Tony |date=30 August 2008 |title=Kremlin announces that South Ossetia will join 'one united Russian state |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4635843.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080903215639/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4635843.ece |archive-date=3 September 2008 |access-date=30 August 2008 |website=The Times}}

In 2009, Belarus boycotted the CSTO summit due to their Milk War with Russia.{{Cite web |date=13 June 2009 |title=Belarus leader may snub Moscow security meet |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-40311520090613 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527021256/https://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-40311520090613 |archive-date=27 May 2018 |access-date= |work=Reuters}} After refusing to attend a CSTO summit in 2009, Lukashenko said: "Why should my men fight in Kazakhstan? Mothers would ask me why I sent their sons to fight so far from Belarus. For what? For a unified energy market? That is not what lives depend on. No!"{{Cite web |last=Kimer |first=James |date=2010-05-28 |title=Lukashenko Plays Coy with Russia, Again |url=https://robertamsterdam.com/lukashenko_plays_coy_with_russia_again/ |access-date= |website=Robert Amsterdam |language=en-US |archive-date=15 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915111123/https://robertamsterdam.com/lukashenko_plays_coy_with_russia_again/ |url-status=live }}

After Kurmanbek Bakiyev was ousted from office as President of Kyrgyzstan as a result of riots in Kyrgyzstan in April 2010, he was granted asylum in Belarus. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko expressed doubt about the future of the CSTO for failing to prevent Bakiyev's overthrow, stating: "What sort of organization is this one, if there is bloodshed in one of our member states and an anticonstitutional coup d'état takes place, and this body keeps silent?"{{Cite news |last=Makhovsky |first=Andrei |date=2010-04-25 |title=Belarus leader raps Russia, may snub security summit |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-belarus-russia-idUSTRE63O0PT20100425 |access-date= |archive-date=15 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915111118/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-belarus-russia-idUSTRE63O0PT20100425 |url-status=live }}

Lukashenko had previously accused Russia of punishing Belarus with economic sanctions after Lukashenko's refusal to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, stating: "The economy serves as the basis for our common security. But if Belarus's closest CSTO ally is trying ... to destroy this basis and de facto put the Belarusians on their knees, how can one talk about consolidating collective security in the CSTO space?"{{Cite news |last=Solovyov |first=Dmitry |date=2009-06-14 |title=Belarus-Russia rift widens, Minsk snubs Moscow meet |language=en |work=Reuters |editor-last=Lawrence |editor-first=Janet |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-belarus-idUSTRE55D07I20090614 |url-status=live |access-date= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915111115/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-belarus-idUSTRE55D07I20090614 |archive-date=15 September 2022}}

During a trip to Ukraine to extend Russia's lease of the Crimean port Sevastopol in return for discounted natural gas supplies, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev was asked about whether Belarus could expect a similar deal and responded: "Real partnership is one thing and a declaration of intentions is another; reaching agreement on working seriously, meeting each other halfway, helping each other is one thing and making decisions about granting permanent residence to people who have lost their job is another." The Belarusian President defended himself against this criticism by citing former Russian President Vladimir Putin's invitation of Askar Akayev to Russia after he was ousted as President of Kyrgyzstan during the 2005 Tulip Revolution.[http://belapan.com/archive/2010/04/25/en_media_president_v2/ Lukashenka dismisses Moscow's criticism over Bakiyev] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707222528/http://belapan.com/archive/2010/04/25/en_media_president_v2/ |date=7 July 2011 }}, Belaplan, 25 April 2010.

The following month, President Medvedev ordered the CEO of Russia's natural gas monopoly Gazprom to cut gas supplies to Belarus in a dispute over outstanding debts.{{Cite web |date=20 June 2010 |title=Russia Cuts Gas Supplies to Belarus |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/russia-cuts-gas-supplies-to-belarus--96799489/120078.html |access-date= |website=Voice of America |language=en |archive-date=15 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915111115/https://www.voanews.com/a/russia-cuts-gas-supplies-to-belarus--96799489/120078.html |url-status=live }} Subsequently, the Russian television channel NTV, run by Gazprom, aired a documentary film which compared Lukashenko to Bakiyev.{{Cite news |date=22 July 2010 |title=It takes one to know one |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/europe/2010/07/22/it-takes-one-to-know-one |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915111115/https://www.economist.com/europe/2010/07/22/it-takes-one-to-know-one |archive-date=15 September 2022 |issn=0013-0613}} Then the Russian President's foreign policy adviser Sergei Prikhodko threatened to publish the transcript of a CSTO meeting where Lukashenko said that his administration would recognize Abkhazian and South Ossetian independence.{{Cite web |date=15 August 2010 |title=Tensions flare up between Kremlin, Belarus strongman |url=https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/tensions-flare-up-between-kremlin-belarus-strongman.322567 |access-date= |website=Times of Malta |language=en-gb |archive-date=15 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915111116/https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/tensions-flare-up-between-kremlin-belarus-strongman.322567 |url-status=live }}

In June 2010, ethnic clashes broke out between ethnic Kyrgyz and Uzbeks in southern Kyrgyzstan, leading interim Kyrgyz President Roza Otunbayeva to request the assistance of Russian troops to quell the disturbances. Kurmanbek Bakiyev denied charges that his supporters were behind the ethnic conflict and called on the CSTO to intervene.{{Cite news |last=Isamova |first=Hulkar |date=2010-06-14 |title=Moscow-led bloc may try to quell Kyrgyz clashes |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-kyrgyzstan-violence-idUSTRE65A02B20100614 |access-date= |archive-date=15 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915111122/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-kyrgyzstan-violence-idUSTRE65A02B20100614 |url-status=live }} Askar Akayev also called for the CSTO to send troops, saying: "Our priority task right now should be to extinguish this flame of enmity. It is very likely that we will need CSTO peacekeepers to do that."{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} The organization was considered by some a "paper tiger" since it failed to intervene.{{Cite web |last=Kucera |first=Joshua |date=14 April 2015 |title=CSTO Faces New Wave Of Criticism Over Ineffectiveness |url=https://eurasianet.org/csto-faces-new-wave-of-criticism-over-ineffectiveness |access-date= |website=Eurasianet |language=en |archive-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313032221/https://eurasianet.org/csto-faces-new-wave-of-criticism-over-ineffectiveness |url-status=live }}

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said that "only in the case of a foreign intrusion and an attempt to externally seize power can we state that there is an attack against the CSTO", and that, "all the problems of Kyrgyzstan have internal roots", while CSTO Secretary General Nikolai Bordyuzha called the violence "purely a domestic affair".[http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/russia/100614/kyrgyzstan-ethnic-violence "Kyrgyzstan tests Russia's regional commitments"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002091729/http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/russia/100614/kyrgyzstan-ethnic-violence |date=2 October 2012 }}, GlobalPost, 15 June 2010. Later, however, Bordyuzha admitted that the CSTO response may have been inadequate and claimed that "foreign mercenaries" provoked the Kyrgyz violence against ethnic Uzbek minorities.[http://www.eurasiareview.com/201007014191/claims-foreign-mercenaries-helped-provoke-race-riots-in-kyrgyzstan.html "CSTO Chief Says Foreign Mercenaries Provoked Race Riots In Kyrgyzstan"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100706022753/http://www.eurasiareview.com/201007014191/claims-foreign-mercenaries-helped-provoke-race-riots-in-kyrgyzstan.html |date=6 July 2010 }}, Eurasia Review, 1 July 2010.

On 21 July 2010, interim Kyrgyz President Roza Otunbayeva called for the introduction of CSTO police units to southern Kyrgyzstan saying: "I think it's important to introduce CSTO police forces there, since we're unable to guarantee people's rights on our own." She also added: "I'm not seeking the CSTO's embrace and I don't feel like bringing them here to stay but the bloodletting there will continue otherwise."[http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=15337729&PageNum=0 Kyrgyzstan takes decision on deploying CIS police force in South] {{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Itar-Tass, 21 July 2010. Only weeks later the deputy chairman of Otubayeva's interim Kyrgyz government complained that their appeals for help from the CSTO had been ignored.{{Cite news |date=11 August 2010 |title=Kyrgyz Official Criticizes Foreign Partners |language=en |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |url=http://www.rferl.org/content/Kyrgyz_Official_Criticizes_Foreign_Partners/2125164.html |url-status=live |access-date=2023-04-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100812100716/http://www.rferl.org/content/Kyrgyz_Official_Criticizes_Foreign_Partners/2125164.html |archive-date=12 August 2010}} The CSTO was unable to agree on providing military assistance to Kyrgyzstan at a meeting in Yerevan, Armenia, which was attended by Roza Otunbayeva as well as Alexander Lukashenko.{{Cite news |last1=Dyomkin |first1=Denis |last2=Robinson |first2=Matt |date=2010-08-20 |title=Russian-led bloc undecided on aid for Kyrgyzstan |language=en |work=Reuters |editor-last=Dobbie |editor-first=Andrew |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE67J1KU |url-status=live |access-date=2023-04-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305130942/http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE67J1KU |archive-date=5 March 2016}}

File:CSTO Summit 03.jpg, Kazakhstan, 8 November 2018]]

On 10 December 2010, the member states approved a declaration establishing a CSTO peacekeeping force and a declaration of the CSTO member states, in addition to signing a package of joint documents.{{cite web|url=http://eng.kremlin.ru/news/1459|title=Meeting of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation|work=President of Russia|date=10 December 2010 |access-date=20 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812054902/http://eng.kremlin.ru/news/1459|archive-date=12 August 2011|url-status=live}}

Since 21 December 2011, the Treaty parties can veto the establishment of new foreign military bases in the member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

On 28 June 2012, Uzbekistan submitted a notification to the CSTO to suspended its membership.[http://ria.ru/defense_safety/20120628/687288392.html Узбекистан второй раз выходит из ОДКБ] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713160616/http://ria.ru/defense_safety/20120628/687288392.html}} // РИА Новости, 28.06.2012{{cite news|title=Uzbekistan Suspends Its Membership in CSTO|url=http://www.satrapia.com/news/article/uzbekistan-suspends-its-membership-in-csto/|access-date=29 June 2012|newspaper=The Gazette of Central Asia|date=29 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121115094101/http://www.satrapia.com/news/article/uzbekistan-suspends-its-membership-in-csto/|archive-date=15 November 2012|url-status=live}} In December 2012, the CSTO Collective Security Council decided to suspend Uzbekistan.{{citeweb|url=https://en.odkb-csto.org/session/2012/session201212/|title=Session of the Collective Security Council December 19, 2012|date=2012-12-19|accessdate=2025-04-05|publisher=Collective Security Treaty Organization}}

File:PA ODKB 1 July 2021.jpg

File:CSTO Summit 2022 02.jpg

In August 2014, 3,000 soldiers from the members of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan participated in psychological and cyber warfare exercises in Kazakhstan under war games managed by CSTO.{{cite news |last=Peerson |first=Joe |date=12 August 2014 |title=Armenia to participate in Kazakhstan CSTO drills |url=http://www.silkroadreporters.com/2014/08/12/armenia-participate-kazakhstan-csto-drills/ |url-status=dead |access-date=13 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814022026/http://www.silkroadreporters.com/2014/08/12/armenia-participate-kazakhstan-csto-drills/ |archive-date=14 August 2014}}

On 19 March 2015, the CSTO Secretary General Nikolai Bordyuzha offered to send a peacekeeping mission to Donbas, Ukraine. "The CSTO has a peacekeeping capacity. Our peacekeepers continuously undergo corresponding training. If such a decision is taken by the United Nations, we stand ready to provide peacekeeping units".{{cite news |title=Bordyuzha: CSTO ready to deploy its peacekeepers to resolve conflict in Ukraine |work=BelTA |url=https://eng.belta.by/politics/view/bordyuzha-csto-ready-to-deploy-its-peacekeepers-to-resolve-conflict-in-ukraine-11161-2015 |url-status=live |access-date=21 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402175710/http://eng.belta.by/all_news/politics/Bordyuzha-CSTO-ready-to-deploy-its-peacekeepers-to-resolve-conflict-in-Ukraine_i_80372.html |archive-date=2 April 2015}}

In July 2021, CSTO Secretary-General Stanislav Zas was criticized by Armenian politicians for calling an incursion by Azerbaijani forces onto Armenian territory a "border incident", where the CSTO remained inactive during the conflict.{{Cite web |last=Avetisyan |first=Ani |date=2021-07-09 |title=Apparent inaction gives rise to criticism of CSTO in Armenia |url=https://oc-media.org/apparent-inaction-gives-rise-to-criticism-of-csto-in-armenia/ |access-date= |website=OC Media |language=en-US |archive-date=3 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403203645/https://oc-media.org/apparent-inaction-gives-rise-to-criticism-of-csto-in-armenia/ |url-status=live }}

In July 2021, Tajikistan appealed to members of CSTO for help in dealing with security challenges emerging from neighboring Afghanistan.{{Cite web |date=7 July 2021 |title=Tajikistan Reportedly Calls On Allies For Help With Security Challenges From Afghanistan |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/tajikistan-csto-help-afghanistan/31346198.html |website=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |language=en |access-date=4 August 2021 |archive-date=22 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122165303/https://www.rferl.org/a/tajikistan-csto-help-afghanistan/31346198.html |url-status=live }} Thousands of Afghans, including police and government troops, fled to Tajikistan after Taliban insurgents took control of many parts of Afghanistan.{{cite news |date=7 July 2021 |title=Tajikistan asks Russia-led bloc for help on Afghan border |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/russia-says-afghan-situation-can-swiftly-worsen-pledges-help-if-needed-2021-07-07/ |url-status=live |url-access=registration |access-date=4 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804184603/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/russia-says-afghan-situation-can-swiftly-worsen-pledges-help-if-needed-2021-07-07/ |archive-date=4 August 2021}}

On 5 January 2022, CSTO peacekeepers were announced to be deployed to Kazakhstan in response to anti-government unrest in the country.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/armenia-says-peacekeepers-russian-led-alliance-go-kazakhstan-2022-01-05/|title=Armenia says peacekeepers from Russian-led alliance to go to Kazakhstan|website=Reuters|date=5 January 2022|access-date=18 January 2022|archive-date=18 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118183124/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/armenia-says-peacekeepers-russian-led-alliance-go-kazakhstan-2022-01-05/|url-status=live}} On 11 January the same year, CSTO forces began their withdrawal from Kazakhstan.{{cite news |last=Vaal |first=Tamara |date=11 January 2022 |title=Russian troops to quit Kazakhstan, says president, taking aim at the elite |website=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/kazakhstan-detains-almost-10000-over-deadly-unrest-2022-01-11/ |access-date=18 January 2022 |archive-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111234547/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/kazakhstan-detains-almost-10000-over-deadly-unrest-2022-01-11/ |url-status=live }}

Since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 there has been no CSTO involvement or official participation of other CSTO members in the conflict, apart from Belarus which agreed to house Russian troops which then attacked Ukraine from across its border. Following the 2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive, the border between Ukraine and Belarus was cleared of Russian forces.

Relations between Russia and Kazakhstan have deteriorated since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The latter has refused to recognise the Donetsk and the Luhansk People's Republics.

After the start of renewed fighting between Armenia and former member Azerbaijan on 13 September 2022, Armenia triggered Article 4 of the treaty, and a CSTO mission including CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas and Anatoly Sidorov was sent to monitor the situation along the border.{{cite news|url=https://www.panorama.am/en/news/2022/09/14/CSTO-Kremlin/2729806|title=CSTO mission not arrived in Armenia yet, Kremlin says|website=Panorama News|date=14 September 2022|access-date=14 September 2022|archive-date=14 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914154531/https://www.panorama.am/en/news/2022/09/14/CSTO-Kremlin/2729806|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1092504/|title=Armenia asked CSTO for military support to restore territorial integrity amid Azeri attack – PM|website=Armenpress|date=14 September 2022|publisher=Armenian Telegraph Agency|access-date=14 September 2022|archive-date=14 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914192601/https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1092504/|url-status=live}} Similar events also took place near the Kyrgyzstan–Tajikistan border throughout 2022.

After the CSTO mission took a rather uncommitted position in the conflict, criticism towards CSTO membership inside Armenian political circles increased, with the secretary of the Security Council of Armenia, Armen Grigoryan, even stating that he saw no more hope for the CSTO.{{cite news |url=https://iwpr.net/global-voices/armenians-decry-csto-inaction |last=Mghdesyan |first=Arshaluis |title=Armenians Decry CSTO Inaction |website=Institute for War and Peace Reporting |date=26 September 2022 |access-date=12 October 2022 |archive-date=12 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221012133952/https://iwpr.net/global-voices/armenians-decry-csto-inaction |url-status=live }} The lack of Russian support during the conflict prompted a national debate in Armenia, as an increasing percentage of the population indicated doubt as to whether it is beneficial to continue CSTO membership, calling for realignment of the state with NATO instead.{{Cite web |date=23 November 2022 |title=Opposition Groups Call For Armenia's Withdrawal From CSTO On Eve Of Yerevan Summit |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/armenia-csto-protest-russia-azerbaijan/32144702.html |website=Radio FreeEurope/Radio Liberty}} This coincided with a visit from Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi to Yerevan on 17 September 2022, largely seen as an effort to reorient the security alliance structure of Armenia.{{cite news |last=Gavin |first=Gabriel |date=19 September 2022 |title=Pelosi's visit fires debate in Armenia over alliance with Russia |work=Politico |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/nancy-pelosi-visit-armenia-debate-alliance-russia/ |url-status=live |access-date=12 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007043501/https://www.politico.eu/article/nancy-pelosi-visit-armenia-debate-alliance-russia/ |archive-date=7 October 2022}}

To discuss the results of the CSTO mission sent on 15 September 2022, an extraordinary session of the CSTO was held via videoconference on 28 October 2022. With the leaders of all member states and CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas in attendance, the meeting was chaired by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who concurred with the report presented by the Secretary General while also reiterating the importance for a clear political assessment of Azerbaijani aggression and a roadmap for the restoration of Armenian territorial integrity.{{cite news |date=29 October 2022 |title=Extraordinary session of the CSTO Collective Security Council took place |work=Aravot.am |publisher=Hayknews |url=https://www.hayknews.com/2022/10/29/extraordinary-session-of-the-csto-collective-security-council-took-place/ |url-status=dead |access-date=8 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108150516/https://www.hayknews.com/2022/10/29/extraordinary-session-of-the-csto-collective-security-council-took-place/ |archive-date=8 November 2022}}{{cite news |last=Roscoe |first=Matthew |date=27 October 2022 |title=BREAKING: Extraordinary session of CSTO Collective Security Council announced for this week |work=EuroWeekly |url=https://euroweeklynews.com/2022/10/27/breaking-extraordinary-session-of-csto-collective-security-council-announced-for-this-week/ |url-status=live |access-date=8 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108150512/https://euroweeklynews.com/2022/10/27/breaking-extraordinary-session-of-csto-collective-security-council-announced-for-this-week/ |archive-date=8 November 2022}}

A regular Collective Security Council meeting took place on 23 November 2022 with the leaders of all CSTO members present to discuss matters of international and regional security.{{cite news |url=https://artsakhpress.am/eng/news/173032/lukashenko-to-attend-csto-collective-security-council-meeting-in-yerevan.html |title=Lukashenko to attend CSTO Collective Security Council meeting in Yerevan |work=Artsakh Press |date=22 November 2022 |access-date=30 November 2022 |archive-date=30 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130023827/https://artsakhpress.am/eng/news/173032/lukashenko-to-attend-csto-collective-security-council-meeting-in-yerevan.html |url-status=live }} After Pashinyan refused to sign the joint declaration because it did not "reach a decision on a CSTO response to Azerbaijan's aggression against Armenia", speculation arose regarding the continuation of the CSTO.{{cite news |last=Baker |first=Sinéad |date=24 November 2022 |title=Putin was repeatedly snubbed at an international summit of countries meant to be Russia's friends |website=Business Insider |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/putin-snubbed-by-armenia-pm-at-meeting-of-allies-2022-11?amp |url-status=live |access-date=30 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129220419/https://www.businessinsider.com/putin-snubbed-by-armenia-pm-at-meeting-of-allies-2022-11?amp |archive-date=29 November 2022}}{{cite news |url=https://www.panorama.am/en/news/2022/11/24/Pashinyan-CSTO-document/2760005 |title=Pashinyan refuses to sign CSTO document on Armenia |website=Panorama News |date=24 November 2022 |access-date=30 November 2022 |archive-date=30 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130023836/https://www.panorama.am/en/news/2022/11/24/Pashinyan-CSTO-document/2760005 |url-status=live }} Secretary General Stanislas Zas indicated that, though numerous measures in the diplomatic as well as military spheres were generally agreed upon, no consensus regarding the situation on the border could be reached.{{cite news |url=https://www.panorama.am/en/news/2022/11/28/CSTO-chief/2761657 |title=CSTO chief: Situation on Armenian-Azeri border complicated |website=Panorama News |date=28 November 2022 |access-date=30 November 2022 |archive-date=30 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130023828/https://www.panorama.am/en/news/2022/11/28/CSTO-chief/2761657 |url-status=live }} On the occasion of the meeting and in the midst of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated that many in their countries had started to discuss the possibility that the CSTO may cease to exist if Russia loses its war in Ukraine.{{cite news | url=https://news.yahoo.com/lukashenko-possible-dissolution-collective-security-222917201.html | title=Lukashenko on possible dissolution of Collective Security Treaty Organization | newspaper=Yahoo News | date=23 November 2022 | access-date=26 November 2022 | archive-date=26 November 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126131148/https://news.yahoo.com/lukashenko-possible-dissolution-collective-security-222917201.html | url-status=live }} He later expanded on his opinion on the matter, stating that the CSTO will continue on and nobody will fall, if there is unity.{{cite news |url=https://eng.belta.by/president/view/lukashenko-the-csto-will-continue-to-exist-and-nobody-is-going-to-fall-anywhere-154891-2022/ |title=Lukashenko: The CSTO will continue to exist and nobody is going to fall anywhere |work=Belta |date=23 November 2022 |access-date=30 November 2022 |archive-date=30 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130023846/https://eng.belta.by/president/view/lukashenko-the-csto-will-continue-to-exist-and-nobody-is-going-to-fall-anywhere-154891-2022/ |url-status=live }} Meanwhile, during the meeting in Yerevan, large groups of protestors gathered and called for the withdrawal of Armenia from the CSTO and for the country to develop closer relations with the United States and the West. In the aftermath of the meeting, the US think tank The National Interest released an analysis on the current state of the CSTO, concluding that, while the alliance is in a fragile state, only few other nations could fill the void created by a possible Russian exit and step in as a power broker in the region.{{cite news |last=Strgacich |first=Scott |date=1 December 2022 |title=Is the CSTO on the Brink of Collapse? |work=The National Interest |url=https://nationalinterest.org/feature/csto-brink-collapse-205956 |url-status=live |access-date=2 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201175423/https://nationalinterest.org/feature/csto-brink-collapse-205956 |archive-date=1 December 2022}} Economic dependencies between the member states have also increased since the start of the invasion and would dissuade the alliance from splitting up.

The diplomatic friction continued into January 2023, after Pashinyan refused to hold common military drills, because the organization did not unequivocally condemn Azerbaijan over its perceived aggression.{{cite news |url=https://en.mehrnews.com/news/195999/Armenia-says-won-t-host-CSTO-military-drills-this-year |title=Armenia says won't host CSTO military drills this year |work=Mehr News |date=11 January 2023 |access-date=15 January 2023 |archive-date=14 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230114141323/https://en.mehrnews.com/news/195999/Armenia-says-won-t-host-CSTO-military-drills-this-year |url-status=live }} In response, Dmitry Peskov, the Press Secretary of the President of Russia, stated that Armenia remains a very close ally and promised to continue the dialogue.{{cite news |url=https://artsakhpress.am/eng/news/175423/kremlin-vows-to-continue-dialogue-with-armenia-after-abandoning-csto-drills.html |title=Kremlin vows to continue dialogue with Armenia after abandoning CSTO drills |work=Artsakh Press |date=10 January 2023 |access-date=15 January 2023 |archive-date=16 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116203645/https://artsakhpress.am/eng/news/175423/kremlin-vows-to-continue-dialogue-with-armenia-after-abandoning-csto-drills.html |url-status=live }} To mend their ties, Sergey Lavrov offered the deployment of a CSTO mission along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border on 2 February 2023 within one or two days, "if our Armenian allies, friends are still interested in it like before".{{cite news |url=https://artsakhpress.am/eng/news/176530/russia-says-csto-mission-can-be-deployed-to-armenia-azerbaijan-border-in-%E2%80%9Cone-or-two-days%E2%80%9D-if-greenlighted-by-yerevan.html |title=Russia says CSTO mission can be deployed to Armenia-Azerbaijan border in "one or two days" if greenlighted by Yerevan |work=Artsakh Press |date=2 February 2023 |access-date=3 February 2023}}

File:Meeting of the CSTO PA Council in Minsk (2023-05-18).jpg

In May 2023, after the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan escalated, the Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that Armenia could consider withdrawing from the treaty due to the lack of support from Russia in the conflict.{{Cite news|url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/armenias-pashinyan-gives-up-karabakh-abandons-russia-led-csto/ |title=Armenia's Pashinyan gives up Karabakh, abandons Russia-led CSTO |newspaper=www.euractiv.com |date=2023-05-23 |access-date=2023-06-23}} In an interview with CNN broadcast on 1 June 2023, Pashinyan stated that "Armenia is not an ally of Russia in the war in Ukraine".{{cite news|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/armenia-pashinian-russia-ally-ukraine-war/32441884.html | title=Pashinian Says Armenia Is Not Russia's Ally In Moscow's War With Ukraine | work = Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty | date=2 June 2023|access-date=4 June 2023}}

On 3 September 2023, during an interview, Armenian prime minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that it was a strategic mistake for Armenia to solely rely on Russia to guarantee its security. Pashinyan stated, "Moscow has been unable to deliver and is in the process of winding down its role in the wider South Caucasus region" and "the Russian Federation cannot meet Armenia's security needs. This example should demonstrate to us that dependence on just one partner in security matters is a strategic mistake." Pashinyan accused Russian peacekeepers deployed to uphold the ceasefire deal of failing to do their job. Pashinyan confirmed that Armenia was trying to diversify its security arrangements, most notably with the European Union and the United States.{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/armenian-pm-says-depending-solely-russia-security-was-strategic-mistake-2023-09-03/|title=Armenian PM says depending solely on Russia for security was 'strategic mistake'|publisher=reuters.com|access-date=2023-09-01}}

During the September 2023 Armenian protests that began following the 2023 Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh, demonstrators surrounded the Russian embassy in Yerevan criticizing Russia's refusal to intervene in the offensive. Some protesters called for the rejection of the Alma-Ata Protocol, and Armenia's withdrawal from the CSTO.{{cite web |date=21 September 2023 |title=Pashinyan: Calls to abandon the Declaration of Alma-Ata are calls to abandon Armenia's independence |url=https://news.am/eng/news/782277.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921140109/https://news.am/eng/news/782277.html |archive-date=21 September 2023 |access-date=21 September 2023 |website=News.am}}

Armenia declined participating in military exercises at the CIS summit in Kyrgyzstan in October 2023 and asked for Russian peacekeeping forces to return to Russia.{{cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 11, 2023 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Oct%2011%20Russian%20Offensive%20Campaign%20Assessment%20PDF.pdf |date=11 October 2023}} The Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, went further in late October saying he saw "no advantage" in the presence of Russian troops in Armenia. {{As of|2023|10|lc=y}}, approximately 10,000 Russian troops were stationed in Gyumri.{{cite web |title=Armenian PM sees "no advantage" in Russian troop presence as ties with Moscow deteriorate further |url=https://eurasianet.org/armenian-pm-sees-no-advantage-in-russian-troop-presence-as-ties-with-moscow-deteriorate-further |date=31 October 2023}}

File:2024 Astana CSTO Summit (5).jpg

On 23 February 2024, Armenian Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, confirmed that Armenia had frozen its participation in the CSTO. Pashinyan stated, "We have now in practical terms frozen our participation in this treaty" and "membership of the CSTO was under review" during a live broadcast interview.{{cite web |title=Armenia freezes participation in Russia-led security bloc - Prime Minister|website=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/armenia-freezes-participation-russia-led-security-bloc-prime-minister-2024-02-23/|date=23 February 2023}} On 28 February 2024, during a speech made in the National Assembly, Pashinyan further stated that the CSTO is "a threat to the national security of Armenia". Responding to Pashinyan's remarks, Dmitri Peskov stated that the CSTO charter does not include provisions for a "frozen membership" status.{{Cite web |title=Pashinyan warns of potential de jure freeze of Armenia's activities in CSTO if the current process continues |url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1131379.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228183425/https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1131379.html |archive-date=2024-02-28 |access-date=2024-03-04 |website=Armenpress|date=28 February 2024 }} On 12 March, Pashinyan said that the CSTO needed to clarify "what constitutes Armenia's sovereign territory", as the organization had not come to Armenia's defence when requested following Azerbaijani troops crossing the border into Armenia's internationally recognized territory. Pashinyan said that if the CSTO's response did not align with Armenia's expectations, the country would officially withdraw from the organization.{{cite web|url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/armenia-withdraw-russia-answer-nato-123500847.html|title=Armenia will withdraw from Russia's answer to NATO if land lost to Azerbaijan is recognized by CSTO|date=2024-03-12|accessdate=2024-03-16|publisher=The New Voice of Ukraine}} On 8 May 2024, Armenia announced it had stopped making financial contributions to the CSTO,{{cite web|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/armenia-csto-budget-russia-pashinian-putin/32938561.html|title=Armenia Stops Financial Contributions To Russian-Led Military Alliance|date=2024-05-08|accessdate=2024-05-08|publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty}} leading Russia to state that it was still obligated to pay its membership dues.{{Cite news |last=Gavin |first=Gabriel |date=June 12, 2024 |title=Armenia to quit Russia's military alliance amid split with Putin |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/armenia-ends-military-alliance-with-russia-pm-nikol-pashinyan-confirms/ |access-date=June 12, 2024 |work=Politico}} On 12 June 2024, Armenia announced that it would formally withdraw from the alliance at an unspecified later date, with Pashinyan stating, "We will leave. We will decide when to exit...Don't worry, we won't return".{{Cite web|url=https://www.euronews.com/2024/06/12/armenia-to-leave-russian-led-collective-security-treaty-organisation|title=Armenia to leave Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation|website=Euronews|date=June 12, 2024|access-date=June 13, 2024}}

A July 2024 Gallup opinion poll noted a 7% increase in support for Armenia's membership in NATO, with 29% of respondents believing Armenia should strive for NATO membership. Meanwhile, support for Armenia's membership in the CSTO decreased by 10%, with only 16.9% believing Armenia should maintain its membership in the CSTO.[https://zartonkmedia.com/2024/07/10/new-poll-reveals-56-7-of-armenians-support-eu-membership-80-3-oppose-constitutional-changes/#:~:text=former%20National...-,New%20Poll%20Reveals%2056.7%25%20Of%20Armenians%20Support,Membership%2C%2080.3%25%20Oppose%20Constitutional%20Changes&text=A%20new%20poll%20reveals%20that,changes%20to%20the%20Armenian%20Constitution. New Poll Reveals 56.7% Of Armenians Support EU Membership, 80.3% Oppose Constitutional Changes]

On 6 August 2024, the Ukrainian Armed Forces launched an incursion into Russia's Kursk Oblast and clashed with the Russian Armed Forces and Russian border guard.{{Cite web |date=6 August 2024 |title=Russia says it moves troop reserves to border after Ukrainian attack |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-forces-thwart-ukrainian-attempt-penetrate-border-regional-governor-says-2024-08-06/ |access-date=6 August 2024 |website=Reuters |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=6 August 2024 |title=Russia claims it is repelling Ukrainian border attack |url=https://www.dw.com/en/russia-claims-it-is-repelling-ukrainian-border-attack/a-69873333 |access-date=6 August 2024 |website=Deutsche Welle |language=en |archive-date=6 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806163812/https://www.dw.com/en/russia-claims-it-is-repelling-ukrainian-border-attack/a-69873333 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Miller |first=Christopher |date=6 August 2024 |title=Moscow claims Ukraine has launched offensive inside Russia |url=https://www.ft.com/content/83ad1e07-19d6-4ae0-b10e-208926fec4eb |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240807131254/https://www.ft.com/content/c716482f-c032-4993-aa12-985a4828ff9d |archive-date=7 August 2024 |access-date=6 August 2024 |website=Financial Times |language=en}} On 17 August 2024, it was reported that CSTO countries have neither supported nor condemned the Ukrainian invasion of Russia.{{cite news|url=https://www.moscowtimes.ru/2024/08/16/druzhestvennie-putinu-strani-otkazalis-osudit-vtorzhenie-vsu-v-kurskuyu-oblast-a139664|title=Archived copy|script-title=ru:«Дружественные» Путину страны отказались осудить вторжение ВСУ в Курскую область|access-date=17 August 2024|archive-date=18 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240818004240/https://www.moscowtimes.ru/2024/08/16/druzhestvennie-putinu-strani-otkazalis-osudit-vtorzhenie-vsu-v-kurskuyu-oblast-a139664|url-status=live}}

On 4 December 2024, during parliamentary discussions in the National Assembly, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that "we already consider ourselves outside the CSTO" and "I believe we have crossed the point of no return" in regards to Armenia's membership status in the CSTO.[https://armenpress.am/en/article/1206671 Armenia considers itself outside the CSTO, has passed the point of no return - Pashinyan]

File:Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) - Организация Договора о коллективной безопасности (ОДКБ).png Map showing the CSTO members, observers and associated members. Includes the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine, the Russian-occupied territories in Georgia, and the breakaway republic Transnistria.

Member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization:

The National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia and the Wolesi Jirga (lower house) of the National Assembly of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan were accorded observer status in the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly in 2013, though the Islamic Republic collapsed in 2021 as the Taliban took over.{{cite web |last=Zainetdinov |first=Vladimir |date=2013-12-04 |title=Парламентские делегации Республики Сербия и Исламской Республики Афганистан получили статус наблюдателей при Парламентской Ассамблее ОДКБ |url=http://www.odkb-csto.org/news/detail.php?ELEMENT_ID=1776 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130723091513/http://www.odkb-csto.org/news/detail.php?ELEMENT_ID=1776 |archive-date=23 July 2013 |access-date=13 April 2013 |website=odkb-csto.org}} Also, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union of Belarus and Russia has observer status in the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly.

In May 2007, the CSTO secretary general Nikolai Bordyuzha suggested Iran could join the CSTO saying, "The CSTO is an open organization. If Iran applies in accordance with our charter, we will consider the application".{{Cite web |last=Upadhyay |first=Dadan |date=14 May 2007 |title=Iran may join security group led by Russia – Indian Express |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/iran-may-join-security-group-led-by-russia/30931/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220116131149/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/iran-may-join-security-group-led-by-russia/30931/ |archive-date=16 January 2022 |access-date=2021-04-15 |website=Indian Express}} If Iran joined it would be the first state outside the former Soviet Union to become a member of the organization.

In 2021, Uzbekistan, after becoming observer to EAEU on 11 December 2020,{{Cite web |date=2020-12-11 |title=Uzbekistan, Cuba granted observer status at Eurasian Economic Union |url=https://eng.belta.by/politics/view/uzbekistan-cuba-granted-observer-status-at-eurasian-economic-union-135793-2020/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123184012/https://eng.belta.by/politics/view/uzbekistan-cuba-granted-observer-status-at-eurasian-economic-union-135793-2020/ |archive-date=23 November 2021 |access-date=2021-06-01 |website=eng.belta.by |language=en-EN}} conducted a bilateral military exercise with Russia and trilateral military exercise with Russia and Tajikistan, while its president joined a CSTO meeting as a guest, sparking rumours about potential reentry into CSTO.{{Cite news |last=Mashrab |first=Fozil |date=29 September 2021 |title=Is Uzbekistan on the Verge of Rejoining the CSTO? |url=https://jamestown.org/program/is-uzbekistan-on-the-verge-of-rejoining-the-csto/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123191021/https://jamestown.org/program/is-uzbekistan-on-the-verge-of-rejoining-the-csto/ |archive-date=23 November 2021 |access-date=23 November 2021 |newspaper=Jamestown}}

{{Main|Secretary General of the CSTO|Chief of the Joint Staff of the CSTO}}

The current secretary general is former Kazakh Prime Minister Imangali Tasmagambetov, who took office on 1 January 2023.

The member states adopted measures to counter cyber security threats and information technology crimes in a Foreign Ministers Council meeting in Minsk, Belarus.{{cite news |last=Orazgaliyeva |first=Malika |date=18 July 2017 |title=CSTO foreign ministers adopt measures to curb IT crime during Minsk meeting |agency=The Astana Times |url=http://astanatimes.com/2017/07/csto-foreign-ministers-adopt-measures-to-curb-it-crime-during-minsk-meeting/ |url-status=live |access-date=31 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801032754/http://astanatimes.com/2017/07/csto-foreign-ministers-adopt-measures-to-curb-it-crime-during-minsk-meeting/ |archive-date=1 August 2017}} Foreign Minister Abdrakhmanov put forward a proposal to establishing a Cyber Shield system.

The following list is sourced from the 2020 edition of "The Military Balance" published annually by the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

{{portal|Politics|Asia|Europe}}

• Soviet Armed Forces
• Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)
• Community for Democracy and Rights of Nations
• Eurasian Economic Community (EURASEC)
• Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)
• GUAM Organization for Democracy and Economic Development (GUAM)
• Military alliance
• North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
• Post-Soviet states
• Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)
• Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO)
• Warsaw Pact
• Armenia–CSTO relations

{{reflist|group=note}}

{{reflist}}

• {{cite book| title=The Military Balance 2018| author1=International Institute for Strategic Studies| date=14 February 2018| publisher=Routledge| location=London| isbn=9781857439557| ref=IISS2018}}
• {{cite news |last1=Rozanov |first1=Anatoliy A. |last2=Douha |first2=Alena F. |title=Collective Security Treaty Organisation 2002 – 2012 |url=https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/176487/RPS_18_CSTO_2002-2012.pdf |publisher=Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces |date=2013}}
• {{cite news |last1=Douhan |first1=A.F. |last2=Rusakovich |first2=А.V. |title=COLLECTIVE SECURITY TREATY ORGANIZATION AND CONTINGENCY PLANNING AFTER 2014 |url=https://www.dcaf.ch/sites/default/files/publications/documents/CSTO_ContingencyPlanningAfter2014_eng.pdf |publisher=Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces |date=2016}}
• {{cite news |last1=Weitz |first1=Richard |title=ASSESSING THE COLLECTIVE SECURITY TREATY ORGANIZATION: CAPABILITIES AND VULNERABILITIES |url=https://publications.armywarcollege.edu/pubs/3661.pdf |publisher=United States Army War College Press |date=October 2018}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.dkb.gov.ru CSTO Official Site] {{in lang|ru}}
• [http://www.odkb.gov.ru/start/index_aengl.htm CSTO Official Site] {{in lang|en}}
• [http://www.paodkb.ru/ Official Site of the Parliamentary Assembly of the CSTO] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222125807/http://www.paodkb.ru/ |date=22 February 2018 }} {{in lang|ru}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110515080137/http://untreaty.un.org/unts/144078_158780/5/9/13289.pdf The Charter of the CSTO]

{{Commonwealth of Independent States}}

{{CARO}}

{{Soviet Union topics}}

{{International relations}}

{{International power}}

{{Regional organizations|state=collapsed}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Collective Security Treaty Organisation}}

Category:20th-century military alliances

Category:21st-century military alliances

Category:Intergovernmental organizations established by treaty

Category:International military organizations

Category:Military of Armenia

Category:Military of Belarus

Category:Military of Kazakhstan

Category:Military of Kyrgyzstan

Category:Military of Russia

Category:Military of Tajikistan

Category:Multilateral relations of Russia

Category:Post-Soviet states

Category:Organizations established in 1994

Category:1994 establishments in Russia

Category:1994 establishments in Asia

Category:1994 establishments in Europe

Category:United Nations General Assembly observers

Category:Military alliances involving Armenia

Category:Military alliances involving Belarus

Category:Military alliances involving Kazakhstan

Category:Military alliances involving Kyrgyzstan

Category:Military alliances involving Russia

Category:Military alliances involving Tajikistan