Russian ally ditching Putin's rival to NATO damages the image Putin wants to project of himself, experts say

Fri, 06/14/2024 - 10:26

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan shake hands facing the camera wearing suits in front of gilded arm chairs, gold table, and their countries' flags — Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the summit of the Eurasian Economic Union in Moscow, Russia, in May 2024.
REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina/Pool

Armenia announced this week that it will leave the Russia-led CSTO, seen as Putin's rival to NATO.
Experts say Putin wants the alliance to project Russian power, meaning Armenia's decision is a blow.
Armenia may see this as a power play, but one expert warned it doesn't have much leverage.

Armenia's announcement that it's going to leave a Russia-led alliance that was set up to rival NATO is a blow to the image Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to project, experts told Business Insider.