Russia's Credibility as a Peacekeeper Shattered in Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict
The recent violence in Nagorno-Karabakh has highlighted Russia's lack of credibility as a regional peacekeeper. Despite being a member of the Russia-led CSTO, Armenia did not seek military assistance from the alliance during the conflict. This decision reflects Armenia's disillusionment with the CSTO, as it was not supported by Russia during the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War in 2020 or the subsequent border clashes. Armenia has since shifted its foreign policy towards the United States and has shown a lack of trust in Russia's ability to maintain regional stability. Russia's actions in Ukraine have further damaged its reputation as a responsible peacekeeper, creating potential dangers for other CSTO member states.