Controversies and Rejections: What Future Awaits the CSTO?
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By
Aliya Haidar
Armenia has officially refused to contribute financially to the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a bloc tasked with ensuring the independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of its member states. Meanwhile, the organization’s Secretary General, Imangali Tasmagambetov, has come under scrutiny for remarks he made related to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Shifting Alliances and Regional Tensions
Founded in 1992, the CSTO comprises Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Tajikistan, and Armenia. Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan have withdrawn from the organization at various times.
While the CSTO regularly conducts joint military exercises and cooperates on counter-terrorism and anti-narcotics efforts, the war in Ukraine has exposed internal divisions and challenged the bloc’s cohesion.
Tasmagambetov Responds to Criticism
In March, Secretary General Tasmagambetov raised eyebrows in an interview with a Russian outlet, warning that any deployment of EU troops to Ukraine could escalate regional tensions. He stated that the CSTO would be ready to provide assistance “within the framework of the organization’s charter and subject to approval by all member states.”
The remarks sparked a backlash, particularly on social media in Kazakhstan, where some users accused Tasmagambetov, the former prime minister, of adopting a pro-Russian stance. Responding in late March, Tasmagambetov recorded a rare video message clarifying his position.
“How can one calmly react to baseless claims that I would send my compatriots to war?” he asked. “There will always be those who distort my words. I have always remained loyal to my people; the interests of our country have always come first.” Tasmagambetov went on to urge viewers to think critically about information shared online.
This controversy follows an earlier statement by Aibek Smadiarov, spokesperson for Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who said in October 2022 that the CSTO had no plans to involve itself in the Ukraine conflict. “The CSTO’s jurisdiction is limited to the internationally recognized territories of its member states,” Smadiarov stated.
Kazakhstan, meanwhile, is reviewing a report by a Ukrainian institution that said about 661 Kazakh citizens have fought for Russia since it launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The I Want To Live center, which is run by the Ukrainian security services and assists with surrender requests from soldiers fighting for Russia, published a list of what it said were the Kazakh nationals. Of the 661, at least 78 have been killed, according to the center. Without providing details, it said it received the list from its own sources within the Russian military.
Kazakh media quoted Igor Lepekha, Kazakhstan’s deputy interior minister of internal affairs, as saying the numbers have to be checked because it is unclear whether they are reliable. Kazakhstan bans mercenary activities in foreign conflicts and has opened a number of related investigations in the last few years. Last year, a court in Kazakhstan sentenced a Kazakh national to more than six years in jail for fighting with Russia’s Wagner Group in Ukraine.
Armenia Pulls Back
Adding to the bloc’s instability, Armenia recently announced that it would no longer finance the CSTO. The Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the decision, citing its refusal to sign the 2024 budget agreement.
Yerevan has long criticized the CSTO for its lack of support during the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. Tensions escalated further when the Armenian parliament passed a bill signaling the country’s intent to join the European Union.
Political analyst Gaziz Abishev suggests that Armenia’s financial withdrawal may be part of broader efforts to normalize relations with Azerbaijan. “By halting payments, Armenia is signaling that it no longer requires territorial guarantees from its CSTO partners. This leaves room for a peace deal,” Abishev noted.
A Look Back: CSTO’s Kazakhstan Mission
Despite the current turmoil, the CSTO’s mission in Kazakhstan in January 2022 remains one of its most effective operations. Initially triggered by protests over gas price hikes, the crisis escalated into violent clashes and the seizure of government buildings.
On January 5, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev requested CSTO assistance, and within days, troops from Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Tajikistan, and Belarus were deployed to secure strategic sites while Kazakhstani forces restored order.
Often criticized for being a “paper tiger” and a “zombie” alliance, it remains to be seen whether the CSTO can be an effective force in a time of geoploitical strife as NATO increasingly falters.
