The Secretary-General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) stated that in the event of a threat of sending European military forces to Ukraine, the Organization is ready to provide any assistance. Tajikistan is also a member of the Organization.
The CSTO Charter states that if one member state is attacked, the others are obligated to defend it. Experts believe that there is a possibility of the CSTO being involved in the conflict in Ukraine, but it could be more of a peacekeeping mission.
"This is not the first time that the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine has been discussed in the capitals of European countries. However, so far, such forces have not been officially sent there. The reason is that it could destabilize the situation in the region. If such a threat arises, the CSTO will be ready to provide any assistance within the framework of the Organization's Charter and, of course, with the consent of its members,” CSTO Secretary-General Imangali Tasmagambetov said in an interview with the Russian newspaper Izvestiya.
He did not specify which CSTO member state would receive assistance, but experts and global media have interpreted his words as an indication of readiness to support Russia, as it is the party involved in the conflict in Ukraine and is most concerned about the presence of European troops, primarily from NATO countries.
Tajik political scientist Muhammad Shamsuddinov believes that the statement by the CSTO Secretary-General and the discussion of the organization’s potential involvement in the Ukrainian conflict is an attempt by Russia to demonstrate that it is not alone.
He believes that the statement was coordinated with other member states, as such declarations in organizations of this level are not made without prior agreement
Background of the discussion
The idea of sending European troops to Ukraine has been raised before. After the war began in February 2022, European and U.S. politicians and military officials discussed this possibility at various levels.
French President Emmanuel Macron raised this issue seriously several times, although no such action has been taken yet.
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.
US President Donald Trump stated that he would not send U.S. troops and called on Europe to take more responsibility for the security of the continent.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed readiness to send troops to Ukraine. It is expected that the UK may send no more than 30,000 troops, while the President of Ukraine has requested up to 120,000.
According to European politicians and military officials, the forces sent to Ukraine would be responsible for peacekeeping operations. However, Russian officials are firmly opposed to NATO troops being present in Ukraine, considering it a threat to their security.
What forces does the CSTO have?
Established 1992,the CSTO is a regional intergovernmental organization currently comprising Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan, with the primary goal of protecting member states from external armed aggression. Armenia suspended its participation in the bloc last year
The key article of the CSTO Charter – Article 4 – states: “If one of the Member States undergoes aggression (armed attack menacing to safety, stability, territorial integrity and sovereignty), it will be considered by the Member States as aggression (armed attack menacing to safety, stability, territorial integrity and sovereignty) to all the Member States of this Treaty. In case of aggression commission (armed attack menacing to safety, stability, territorial integrity and sovereignty) to any of the Member States, all the other Member States at request of this Member State shall immediately provide the latter with the necessary help, including military one, as well as provide support by the means at their disposal in accordance with the right to collective defense pursuant to article 51 of the UN Charter. The Member States shall immediately inform the United Nations Security Council on the measures taken on the basis of this article. When implementing these measures, the Member States shall adhere to the relevant provisions of the UN Charter.”
In 2001, as part of the CSTO, Collective Rapid Reaction Forces were created in Central Asia, consisting of about 5,000 soldiers. The Collective Operational Reaction Forces (CORF) include up to 20,000 military personnel, with an additional 3,000 designated for peacekeeping missions. However, all of these forces are not permanent and are assembled as needed.
