Zakharova dismisses Pashinyan`s latest CSTO allegations as word salad

ArmInfo.  Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has characterized  Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's latest accusations against the CSTO as an incoherent " set of words."

During a weekly briefing on January 30, Zakharova was asked to  comment on Pashinyan's accusations against the CSTO in his  congratulatory message on the occasion of the 34th anniversary of the  Armenian Armed Forces. "This is an incoherent set of words, I am  sorry. Is he accusing the CSTO of destroying Armenian statehood? It  is simply strange for me to even hear this. Perhaps you're misquoting  him. Let's clarify the quote."

When the journalist pointed out that the quote was verbatim, the  Russian diplomat noted that the claims, particularly regarding  territorial integrity, were unclear. "I understand that all of this  was said in the context of the situation surrounding  Nagorno-Karabakh. I don't recall this territory ever being legally  declared part of Armenia. I only remember Nikol Vovayevich Pashinyan  going there [to Nagorno-Karabakh - ed.] and dancing. I remember that,  but I know nothing about any legal recognition, or inclusion into  Armenia as a state. Perhaps you've heard of it?" Zakharova said.

She concluded by suggesting a need for further clarification on the  specific nature of the alleged threats posed by the CSTO to Armenian  statehood, promising a formal comment once the context is fully  understood.