In the aftermath of deadly clashes with Azerbaijan overnight, which left dozens of Armenian soldiers killed or injured, Armenia has triggered mutual defence clauses in its agreements with Russia and with the Russia led Collective Security Treaty Organisation.
Armenian prime minister Nikol Pashinyan spoke on the phone with Russian president Vladimir Putin as the fighting was raging. Armenia's Defence and Foreign Ministers have also been in touch with their Russian counterparts. Armenia has a defence treaty with Russia.
Read more: Reports of serious incidents on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border
Armenian leaders have also been in touch with the Secretariat of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation, of which Armenia is a full member. It is understood that the Council of the CSTO is to meet soon to discuss the matter.
There is increasing frustration in Armenia at the failure of both Russia and the CSTO to support it in the face of what it claims to be Azerbaijani aggression.
Armenia has also taken the initiative to raise the issue in the Permanent Council of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). France is reported to have called an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss the clashes.
The European Union has made various calls on the sides to halt hostilities and return negotiations. It is understood that European Council president Charles Michel has been in discussions with both prime minister Pashinyan and with Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev. EU High Representative Josep Borrell has also spoken on the phone with the foreign ministers of the two countries. Borrell said that the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus, Toivo Klaar, will travel immediately to Baku and Yerevan for consultations with the leaders of the two countries.
read more: Intense diplomatic activity after clashes on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border
