Your trusted source

The Armenian authorities remain “strangely silent” on Russia’s multiple proposals to send a mission of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) to the country, opposition lawmaker Tigran Abrahamyan says.

"Russia's proposal to deploy CSTO observers or peacekeepers to Armenia's border and to provide military-technical assistance to the country has caused an extraordinary situation,” he wrote on Facebook on Saturday.

“Neither of the sides would disclose what the military-technical assistance plan is all about. It’s necessary to understand what has been offered to Armenia’s leadership regarding the deployment of CSTO observers or peacekeepers, whether there are details about their mandate, functions and possible areas of deployment.

"If the proposed military-technical assistance package includes supplies of vital weapons and military equipment [to Armenia], and the CSTO presence could serve as a deterrent, why isn't the issue at least discussed?

“There have been numerous statements from Russia in recent days, while the Armenian authorities remain strangely silent. What are the Armenian leaders waiting for, and why is Russia in a hurry?” Abrahamyan said.