In November 2023, Armenia decided to boycott the latest summit of the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation, the CSTO. Coming on top of growing tensions between Yerevan and Moscow, this was seen as yet further evidence that Armenia is steadily distancing itself from Russia. This has even led to speculation that it is on the verge of a final break with Moscow and will pursue a new relationship with the West, joining NATO and the EU. So, could Armenia really be about to pursue an entirely new strategic direction? Armenia has a long and fascinating history stretching back thousands of years. Over that time, it has frequently been caught between the major powers of the day, including Greece, Persia, Rome, Parthians, Arab Islam, Byzantium, the Seljuks, Mongols, and the Ottomans. However, in modern times, its closest relationship has been with Russia. Having come under imperial Russian rule in the nineteenth century, it then became a part of the Soviet Union. But even after the break up of the USSR, it continued to maintain a close relationship with Moscow. Until now. Following the war with Azerbaijan, which saw the loss of Nagorno-Karabakh, many Armenians have blamed Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin, for not stepping in to save the territory. As a result, the Armenian Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, has been building ties to the West. But as shown, any moves towards NATO and the EU are more complicated than they seem, and any final split with Russia is much tougher than it sounds. MY NEW BOOK! Secession and State Creation: What Everyone Needs to Know Oxford University Press https://global.oup.com/academic/product/secession-and-state-creation-9780190494049 Amazon https://amzn.to/2MPY3W2 Audiobooks.com https://www.audiobooks.co.uk/audiobook/secession-and-state-creation-what-everyone-needs-to-know/637281 SUPPORT THE CHANNEL Hello and welcome! My name is James Ker-Lindsay, and here I take an informed look at International Relations, conflict, security, and statehood. If you like what you see, feel free to subscribe. If you want more, including exclusive content and access to the channel Discord server, please consider becoming a Channel Member or support me through Patreon. I would greatly appreciate your support. Thank you! SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE null BECOME A CHANNEL MEMBER null JOIN MY PATREON PAGE https://www.patreon.com/JamesKerLindsay VIDEO CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction and Titles 00:47 Armenia’s Foreign Policy Problem 01:46 Background to Armenia 02:37 A History of Armenia and the Armenians 03:56 Armenia: From Imperial Russia to the USSR 05:09 Armenia after the Breakup of the Soviet Union 06:45 Armenia Grows Closer to Russia 07:45 Tensions Grow Between Armenia and Russia 08:58 Armenian-Russian Relations Breakdown 10:54 Could Armenia Join NATO? 11:54 Could Armenia Join the EU? 13:32 Will Armenia Break with Russia? SOURCES AND FURTHER READING Government of Armenian | YouTube null EU Neighbours Fact Sheet | Armenia https://euneighbourseast.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/3.1_euneighbours_east_as_2023_armenia_factsheets_en.pdf EU vs Disnfo Armenia | EEAS Website https://euvsdisinfo.eu/disinformation-divides-armenia/ Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs http://diaspora.gov.am/en Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) https://en.odkb-csto.org/ EQUIPMENT USED TO MAKE THIS VIDEO https://kit.co/JamesKerLindsay MAPS https://www.themaparchive.com/ DISCLAIMERS - The contents of this video and any views expressed in it were not reviewed in advance nor determined by any outside persons or organisation. - Some of the links above are affiliate links. These pay a small commission if you make a purchase. This helps to support the channel and will be at no additional cost to you. #Armenia #Russia #NATO #EU