Putin Caught Off Guard as His 'Mini-NATO' Falls Apart

Russian President Vladimir Putin was caught off guard by Armenia's suspending its membership of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a crucial military alliance for Moscow.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said during an interview with France 24 on Friday that Armenia would leave CSTO, viewed as Putin's response to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a Western military alliance. CSTO is an alliance in which member nations pledge to support one another in the event of an attack and has frequently been referred to as Putin's "mini NATO."

The announcement comes nearly two years to the day that Russia announced its invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Putin initially hoped for a quick victory against Kyiv, whose spirited defense efforts has blocked Russian troops from making substantial gains, leading to a longer conflict. Despite setbacks, Russia has pressed on as U.S. aid to Ukraine, key to its gains, threatens to dry up.