Vladimir Putin: Expert claims his 'influence is diminishing' as ties with yet another close ally grow weak

The number of Vladimir Putin’s allies seems to be growing thinner as the Russian President is struggling with the war in Ukraine. Indeed, Russia, who has reportedly launched a 'breeding scheme'has an alliance with Armenia through the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a military alliance, where members pledge to support one another in the event of an attack, as per Newsweek.

Recently, Armenia was attacked by a neighbouring country, Azerbaijan. Armenia called for help from Russia, who failed to reply, leaving the Armenian Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, to call out Vladimir Putin.

Armenia was attacked by Azerbaijan

As reported by Newsweek, Armenian Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, spoke on Sunday, September 24 to announce that the country plans to distance itself from Russia after calling the former’s security alliance ‘ineffective’ and ‘insufficient’.

Nikol Pashinyan said:

The systems of external security in which Armenia is involved are ineffective when it comes to the protection of our security and Armenia's national interests

Indeed there has been an ongoing battle between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which separatists claim belongs to Armenia but is internationally recognised as Azerbaijani.

Last week, Azerbaijani forces launched a lightning attack on the region, after claiming full control of the area, forcing 120,000 ethnic Armenians to flee for fear of ethnic cleansing.

Russia failed to help Armenia

As a result of the attack by Azerbaijan, Armenia called for help from Russia through the CSTO. However, the former Soviet Union failed to help its ally due to its military forces being preoccupied with the war in Ukraine.

Moreover, the Kremlin refused to send military help citing that Armenia’s own government recognises the Nagorno-Karabakh region as part of Azerbaijan.

In response to the silence from Russia, the Armenian Prime Minister is contemplating leaving the CSTO:

It has become evident to all of us that the CSTO instruments and the instruments of the Armenian-Russian military-political cooperation are insufficient for protecting external security of Armenia.

Adding:

We must transform and supplement the instruments of Armenia's external and domestic security, in cooperation with all the partners who are ready for mutually beneficial step

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Russia’s ally system is growing weaker

As reported by Express, Russia’s alliances with Georgia and Armenia - both formerly part of the USSR - are growing weaker as they have tried to move closer to the West. Natia Seskuria, a Russia hawk, has explained that Vladimir Putin is desperate to keep his allies but ‘his influence is diminishing’:

I wouldn't say Putin is about to lose his whole influence in the region, but his influence is diminishing.

She also told Express that Putin is ‘becoming increasingly insecure’ as he doesn’t have many military allies:

He's becoming increasingly insecure because he doesn't have many allies who can actually provide some practical support in terms of military

Sources used:

Newsweek: ‘Russian Ally's Latest Comments Show Growing Tension With Putin’

Express: ‘Putin 'increasingly insecure' as Kremlin about to lose grip on more ex-Soviet states’