General Serdyukov: Western countries are trying to strengthen their  influence in the South Caucasus

ArmInfo.  Western countries are trying to strengthen their influence in the South Caucasus region, as stated by Colonel General Andrei Serdyukov, Chief of the Joint Staff of the Collective Security Treaty Organization  (CSTO), at a briefing.

"The situation in the Caucasus region is worrisome, marked by a  volatile mix of old, unresolved conflicts and new geopolitical  challenges. This is largely due to Western countries' attempts to  strengthen their influence in the South Caucasus," he noted.

Speaking about Central Asia, the Chief of the CSTO Joint Staff  pointed out that numerous international extremist and terrorist  groups operating in Afghanistan are negatively impacting stability  and security in the region. According to Serdyukov, these groups pose   a real threat of exporting terrorism  to neighboring territories.  "Overall, the situation in the organization's area of responsibility  remains tense and unpredictable. Given the ongoing deterioration of  international relations, the potential for conflict will only  increase," the head of the CSTO Joint Staff concluded, TASS reports.

Recall, Armenia boycotts events held within the CSTO. In February  2024, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that Armenia had  effectively frozen its participation in the CSTO, as the organization  had failed to fulfill its obligations to Armenia, which could not go  without consequences. On September 18, 2024, at the Second Global  Armenian Summit, Pashinyan stated that the CSTO poses threats to  Armenia's security, its continued existence, sovereignty, and  statehood.