MOSCOW, Russia (A.W.)—Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved a government proposal on creating joint Russian and Armenian forces, reported the Interfax News Agency. The tasks of these joint forces include ensuring the security of Russian and Armenians borders and to work within the Collective Security Treaty Organization.
Russian and Armenian troops performing joint military drills.
According to the presidential decree, Putin has ordered the Russian Defense Ministry and the Foreign Affairs Ministry to hold talks with Armenian authorities on reaching an agreement.
The document draft states that a joint command will be created, whose leader will be appointed by the Supreme Commander of the Armenian Armed Forces in agreement with the Supreme Commander of the Russian Armed Forces.
According to the draft, during peacetime, the commander of the joint forces will be subordinate to Armenia’s military Chief of Staff. During wartime, he will be subordinate to the commander of Russia’s southern military district or the Armenian Chief of Staff, depending on the situation and the ultimate decision of both militaries’ chief commanders.
The document also states that the parties will independently carry out logistical and financial support for their troops.
Source: Armenian Weekly
Link: Putin Approves Proposal to Create Joint Russian-Armenian Military Forces