Opinion: Belarus faces difficult tasks as part of its CSTO chairmanship

Belarus faces difficult tasks within the framework of its CSTO chairmanship: it is necessary not only to preserve the organisation, but also to make it more adapted to the current realities – as noted by the Dean of the Journalism Faculty at the Belarusian State University, Aleksei Belyaev, in his talk with Alfa Radio

“The Collective Security Treaty Organisation is a military alliance created not for offensive, but defensive purposes. Initially, CSTO was planned with view on regional challenges and threats, but the organisation was not a global geopolitical alliance – like the Warsaw Pact or NATO, for example. CSTO aimed to become an active organisation that would respond pointwise to threats against its members,” Mr. Belyaev noted, adding that the fight against organised crime and drug trafficking was primarily in focus.

“We also know that it is important to protect the borders in Central Asia from Islamic terrorists, and this task also mattered. Look at the events in Kazakhstan (an uprising in January) and the special military operation, the problems in Karabakh. One of the CSTO members (Armenia) was very indignant that the organisation did not help solve that issue, but how was it possible if it did not concern the territorial integrity of Armenia itself? Armenia did not consider Karabakh its territory and did not even recognise its sovereignty; that’s the state not recognised by anyone," Mr. Belyaev noted.

As noted by the expert, Armenia – which talked a lot about support – did not actually dare to recognise these territories as independent even at the diplomatic level. “So what kind of intervention in that matter can we talk about? On the basis of what can this be done if Armenians themselves do not want to defend the sovereignty of Karabakh? However, accusations followed… I think CSTO is experiencing not simple times now, and Belarusian chairmanship should preserve this organisation. Our state faces a difficult task: we should prevent Armenia from leaving [CSTO],” he said.

The expert added, “New threats have emerged, and these are real wartime challenges. In this case, it is necessary to understand how the CSTO forces should react if, for example, an active invasion of the Belarusian territory begins. Russia said there is no need so far to involve the Collective Security Treaty Organisation for the special military operation; this is its internal matter, of course. However, in the event of a large-scale military conflict, all CSTO members are bound by a treaty, and we see how, unfortunately, they are trying to drag us into these conflicts. This may threaten the real territorial integrity of the CSTO member states. What actions should be made? How a threat could be stopped at its initial stage? Our President has not a simple task. Belarus has a very responsible mission today. It is necessary not only to preserve the union, but also make it more adapted to the realities of our present time. As we see, Belarus is coping so far.”