MOSCOW, May 26. /TASS/. The successful testing of the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile will temper the ardor of Western strategists, making them take a sober look at the potential consequences of their reckless Russia policy, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu said at a meeting of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Committee of Security Council Secretaries.

He also expressed regret that Armenia was looking for protection from the very source of threats.

TASS has compiled the key statements made by the top Russian security official.

Deteriorating global security situation

The global security situation is rapidly deteriorating: "The global security situation is rapidly deteriorating. Apart from the existing challenges and threats, new ones are emerging in the organization's zone of responsibility."

Tensions are especially high "along the western borders" of the CSTO.

Threat coming from NATO

The main threat to the CSTO comes from NATO and the bloc’s members "in the so-called civilized Europe, gripped by a revanchist and militarist frenzy."

The CSTO properly assesses security risks coming from NATO’s military and intelligence buildup: "We properly assess the risks from NATO’s ongoing efforts to increase the number of military drills, enhance its military capacity, expand infrastructure, and boost intelligence activities in the western region of collective security, and we also take measures to reduce these risks."

Sarmat testing

The successful testing of the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile will dampen the ardor of Western strategists, making them take a sober look at the potential consequences of their reckless Russia policy: "I am confident that the recent successful trials of the Sarmat ballistic missile and last week’s exercises on the use of nuclear forces will cool the ardor of Western strategists and will also make them take a sober look at the potential outcome of their reckless policy towards Russia and its allies."

Armenia’s choice

Yerevan’s desire to find patronage from the source of threats is regrettable: "There are a lot of problems, and it is much more effective to solve them together. Sadly, our Armenian partners in the organization do not understand this as they seek protection from the very source of the threat."

"It is up to the Armenian leadership to make its choice, as it is solely responsible for the future of its country and its people."