Armenia shifts allegiance, trains with US troops as Putin snubs

Armenia, a longtime ally of Russia, will conduct a joint military exercise with the United States later this month, signaling its frustration with Russia. The exercise, named "Eagle Partner 2023," aims to prepare Armenian forces for international peacekeeping missions. This move comes after Armenia expressed dissatisfaction with Russia's response to recent border clashes with Azerbaijan and threatened to leave the Russia-led CSTO alliance. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has distanced himself from Russian President Vladimir Putin and criticized Russia's handling of the situation. Experts suggest that Russia's invasion of Ukraine has further strained its relationships with former Soviet Union member countries, raising doubts about Russia's ability to protect them.