The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) could not have become involved in the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh because Armenia itself had not recognized the territory, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

"There was the case of Armenia, which seemed to say, 'Let's activate the CSTO mechanism.' But in reality, with regard to whom and what? Regarding the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, which Armenia itself, unfortunately or fortunately—that is not for me to judge, that question should be addressed to Yerevan—did not recognize either as its own or as an independent entity," Zakharova said at the Gvardeysk youth forum, according to RIA Novosti.

The diplomat stressed that under such circumstances, it was impossible to activate the CSTO mechanism.

However, Armenia has never expected CSTO involvement in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Instead, it requested the organization to activate its mechanisms in September 2022, when Azerbaijan attacked Armenia's sovereign territory, from which its forces have still not withdrawn.