Russian MP: Protests demanding Armenia leave CSTO funded by U.S. or pro-Americans

PanARMENIAN.Net - Protests in Yerevan demanding Armenia's withdrawal from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) are financed by the United States or pro-American forces, Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Defense and Security Viktor Bondarev said Sunday, September 18.

A group of Armenians took to the street on Sunday to demand the country's withdrawal from the organization, after the latter rejected to send forces to Armenia in the aftermath of Azerbaijan's latest large-scale aggression.

"Demonstrations for Armenia's withdrawal from the CSTO, which are now taking place in Yerevan, were I believe, paid for by the United States or by pro-American forces," the Senator wrote on his Telegram channel on Sunday.

Bondarev noted that Russian-Armenian relations remain stable, despite attempts to incline Armenia to the side of Western countries.

"Armenia (as well as other countries of the former USSR) has long been persuaded to move to the side of the West, but Russian-Armenian relations are still stable, good-neighborly and partnership-focused: both bilateral and relations within multilateral international blocs and organizations. Nevertheless, the United States and its henchmen they are trying with all their might to drive a wedge between us.This goal was pursued with the visit of the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the U.S. Congress Nancy Pelosi to Yerevan," he stressed.

The senator stressed that Russia is always ready to help its partners and allies, however, "exactly to the extent we consider it necessary, and by those methods we consider acceptable in a particular situation."

Earlier on Sunday, Pelosi gave a press conference in Yerevan and strongly condemned the “illegal attacks” by Azerbaijan on Armenia’s sovereign territory, saying that Armenia’s security was of great importance to the United States. In a press conference, Pelosi strongly condemned “illegal and deadly attacks by Azerbaijan” and added that the violence “threatens prospects for a much-needed peace agreement.” She said the U.S. is watching the situation closely and continues to support a negotiated settlement.