Russia expects Armenia to continue work in CSTO — Kremlin

Christine Harutyunian
TASS, Russia
Nov 22 2023
"We hope that there will be participation at the working, expert level," Dmitry Peskov specified

MOSCOW, November 22. /TASS/. The Russian side counts on Armenia's continued work within the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and regrets that the Armenian side will not be represented at a high level at the organization's summit in Minsk on November 23, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

"Certainly, we regret that there will be no high-level participation of Armenia at tomorrow's summit. We hope that there will be participation at the working, expert level. But, of course, we expect Armenia to continue its work within the framework of the organization," Peskov said.

Earlier, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and representatives of the country’s Foreign Ministry repeatedly stated that Yerevan was not currently discussing the possibility of withdrawing from the CSTO, but Armenian representatives have not participated in the organization's events in recent months. Armenia also recalled its ambassador to the CSTO and did not appoint a new one.

No decision on withdrawal from Moscow-led bloc, says senior Armenian lawmaker

Maral Chavushian
TASS, Russia
Nov 22 2023
Armenian Prime Nikol Pashinyan announced earlier that he would not take part in the CSTO summit in Minsk

YEREVAN, November 22. /TASS/. Yerevan is not leaving the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), Armenian National Assembly (parliament) President Alen Simonyan told reporters.

"Armenia has not made a decision to withdraw from the CSTO," he said, commenting on Armenian officials’ refusal to participate in CSTO events scheduled to be held in the Belarusian capital of Minsk on November 23.

Armenian Prime Nikol Pashinyan announced earlier that he would not take part in the CSTO summit in Minsk. The country’s foreign and defense ministers also refused to participate in CSTO events. Parliament speaker Alen Simonyan, in turn, said that he would not attend a session of the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly in December. Armenia has also recalled its ambassador to the CSTO and has not appointed a new head of its diplomatic mission.

When commenting on Armenian officials’ refusal to participate in CSTO events in Minsk, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Mosow expected Yerevan to continue working in the organization.

Russian MFA says Armenian decision to skip CSTO events doesn’t meet national interests

Greg Madatian
TASS, Russia
Nov 22 2023
Maria Zakharova said Armenia is not going to stymie the work of the CSTO's statutory bodies or prevent the approval of documents that have already been agreed

MOSCOW, November 22. /TASS/. Yerevan's decision to skip the events of the Collective Security Treaty Organization in Minsk from November 22-23 does not meet the interests of the Armenian people, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said.

"The decision of the Armenian leadership not to participate in the joint session of the abovementioned organizations, we are talking about the formats of the Council of Foreign Ministers, the Council of Defense Ministers, the Committee of Security Councils Secretaries on November 22 and the session of the CSTO Collective Security Council on November 23, is certainly regrettable. We do not believe that it meets the long-term interests of the Armenian people and will contribute to the strengthening of security and stability of this friendly country," she said at a news conference.

Zakharova said Armenia is not going to stymie the work of the CSTO's statutory bodies or prevent the approval of documents that have already been agreed.

"This essentially leaves the door open for Yerevan and allows it to join the work in the future, and we hope that Armenian allies will use this opportunity in the not too distant future," she went on to say.

President of Iraq visits Armenia

Karlen Baghdasarian

 17:22,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS. President of Iraq Abdul Latif Rashid has arrived to Armenia.

The Iraqi President will have meetings with President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan.

President Abdul Latif Rashid was welcomed at the Zvartnots Airport in Yerevan by Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan.

[see video]

USAID to provide $4.1 million in additional humanitarian aid to people affected by the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh

Markos Nalchajian

 17:57,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS. The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID),on November 21  announced more than $4.1 million in additional humanitarian assistance for people affected by the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Armenian mission of the US Agency for International Development said in a statement that  this additional funding brings total U.S. humanitarian assistance for the Nagorno-Karabakh response to nearly $28 million since 2020.

“Azerbaijan’s military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh between September 19 and 20 displaced more than 100,000 people into neighboring Armenia and generated significant humanitarian needs.

With this additional assistance, USAID is supporting efforts on the ground to provide urgently needed humanitarian assistance for almost 74,000 vulnerable refugees and displaced persons from Nagorno-Karabakh who are sheltering in Armenia. This funding will increase life-saving food assistance and provide humanitarian protection and emergency shelter. 

The U.S. stands with civilians affected by Azerbaijan’s military operation and supports the Armenian government’s efforts to help those in need,’’ reads the statement.

Putin calls for joint global efforts to end Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Boris Nahapetian

 19:11,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS. Russian President Vladimir Putin finds it necessary to unite the efforts of the  international community in finding a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The international community should join forces to find a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, Tass reports.

"Russia’s position is consistent and does not change with the situation. We urge the international community to join forces in order to ease tensions, ensure a ceasefire and find a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," he noted, addressing an extraordinary summit of the BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), Tass quoted the Russian President as saying.

Armenian Foreign Minister holds phone talk with Belarusian counterpart

Emil Lazarian

 21:06,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS. On the initiative of the Belarusian side, on November 21, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan held a phone talk with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Sergei  Aleinik, the foreign ministry said.

During the telephone conversation, ideas were exchanged on the Armenian-Belarusian bilateral agenda.

Issues related to CSTO activities were also discussed during the phone conversation. Armenian Foreign Minister noted that he would not be able to participate in the joint session of the CSTO Council of Foreign Ministers, the Council of Defense Ministers and the Committee of Secretaries of the Security Council scheduled for November 22 in Minsk.

Armenia may deliver 200 ballistic missiles and S-300s to Ukraine

Hambik Zargarian
Bulgarian Military
Nov 21 2023
By Boyko Nikolov On Nov 21, 2023

Among Russian bloggers, there is concern that Armenia may become an unexpected donor to Ukraine. The Russian Telegram channel Militarist [TCM] reports that “Yerevan intends to hand over the launchers of the Tochka-U missile system and 200 missiles to Ukraine.”

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According to TCM, Washington has asked Yerevan [the capital of Armenia] to provide Ukraine with Osa-K air defense systems, which are also in service with the Armenian army.

The United States and Great Britain have long traveled the world in search of remaining Soviet standard weapons that could be sent to Ukraine, writes TCM.

“And given Pashinyan’s general pro-Western course, this news does not seem incredible. He may find a ‘moral justification’ for this act in the fact that Russia sells arms to Azerbaijan,” commented the Russian blogger on Telegram.

TCM fears that Armenia, the USA, and Washington will not limit themselves to the already mentioned Soviet weapon systems. Armenia has at least five divisions of S-300PS and at least as many S-300 PTs. “Armenia also has five divisions of Iskander ballistic missile systems,” TCM also wrote.

“By the way, given the specifics of Ukrainian logistics, it can be assumed that Point-U from Armenia may already be in Ukraine,” the Russian blogger suggests.

The OTR-21 [Yochka-U] is a streamlined mobile missile launcher system, specifically created to operate seamlessly within land combat scenarios. However, the 9K52 Luna-M missile system is somewhat larger and lacks the precision of the OTR-21. Yet, the OTR-21 excels in size and accuracy, making it a formidable navigation tool. 

This missile can hit enemy targets such as control posts, bridges, and storage facilities with precision. It can target troop concentrations and airfields as well. The fragmented warhead can be replaced with a nuclear, biological, or even chemical weapon. The solid propellant ensures ease of maintenance and deployment. 

The 9K33 Osa showcases an integrated 9A33 transporter-launcher and radar vehicles capable of detecting, tracking, and engaging aircraft independently or with the help of regimental surveillance radars. Its transporter vehicle, the VAZ-5937, boasts full amphibious capability and air mobility. The ground coverage is estimated to be around 500 km. 

The S-300, developed by the former Soviet Union, is a long-range surface-to-air missile system series. It was industrially produced by NPO Almaz for the Soviet Air Defence Forces as a defensive measure against air raids and cruise missiles. Even today, the S-300 is considered one of the most effective anti-aircraft missile systems in operation. 

The S-300 system has been adopted by Russia, Ukraine, other countries of the former Eastern Bloc, as well as Greece and Bulgaria. It also finds use in China, Iran, among other nations in Asia. 

This missile system is fully automated but can also allow manual observation and operation. Each associated radar signifies targets for the central command post. The command post then scrutinizes the data it obtains from the targeting radars to sift out false targets. The command post also offers both active and passive target detection modes. Its missiles can cover a maximum range of 40 kilometers [or approximately 25 miles] from the command post. 

Turkish Press: Azerbaijan calls on Armenia to avoid ‘unnecessary delays’ in peace talks

Emil Lazarian
Yeni Safak, Turkey
Nov 21 2023

Azerbaijan calls on Armenia to avoid ‘unnecessary delays’ in peace talks

‘It took Armenia almost two and a half months to respond to Azerbaijan’s proposals on draft peace agreement, which has seriously delayed process,’ says Foreign Ministry

Azerbaijan on Tuesday called on Armenia to avoid any “unnecessary delays” in peace talks between the two countries.

“It took Armenia almost two and a half months to respond to Azerbaijan’s proposals on the draft peace agreement, which has seriously delayed the process,” said an Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry statement.

“This stagnation in the peace negotiations does not contribute to stability and prosperity in the region,” it added.

The statement reiterated Azerbaijan’s readiness to hold talks with Armenia to finalize a peace agreement between both countries “as soon as possible.”

“Responsibility for the continuation of the peace process, including the selection of a mutually acceptable venue, or a decision to meet at the state border, belongs to the two countries,” it said.

Earlier in the day, the Armenian Foreign Ministry announced on X that Yerevan submitted a sixth proposal to Azerbaijan for a peace agreement.

Relations between the two former Soviet republics have been tense since 1991, when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions.

Most of the territory was liberated by Azerbaijan during a war in the fall of 2020, which ended after a Russian-brokered peace agreement, and also opened the door to normalization.

This September, the Azerbaijani army initiated an anti-terrorism operation in Karabakh to establish constitutional order in the region, after which illegal separatist forces in the region surrendered.

Azerbaijan, having now established full sovereignty in the region, has reiterated its request to the Armenian population in Karabakh to become part of Azerbaijani society.