The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) has commented on discussions regarding the possible deployment of European military contingents to Ukraine.
“If European military contingents are introduced into Ukraine, new security risks in the region will be inevitable. This is a matter of concern not only for individual member states of the Organization but also for the CSTO as a whole.
The Organization is ready to offer various forms of assistance to any country that requests it—strictly in accordance with the CSTO’s statutory documents and decisions of the Collective Security Council,” CSTO spokesperson Natalya Kharitonova stated.
Earlier, CSTO Secretary-General Imangali Tasmagambetov echoed this sentiment in an interview with Izvestia, noting that while European military contingents are not officially present in Ukraine, their deployment would create a dangerous regional situation.
Tasmagambetov also expressed doubt that European citizens would support their governments’ decision to send troops to Ukraine, arguing that "such a move would place an additional burden on society, even if these contingents are not engaged in offensive operations."
Background of the discussion
Talks about the possible deployment of EU military contingents to Ukraine have intensified amid deteriorating relations between Ukraine and the United States. Several European leaders have emphasized the need to ensure Ukraine's security without relying on U.S. support.
The CSTO is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan, with the primary goal of protecting member states from external armed aggression. In 2024, Armenia suspended its participation in the bloc and announced its intention to withdraw.
