“Russia’s allies are under pressure, Moscow will provide them with all necessary assistance,” Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said.

“We know about the pressure on our allies. They are open threats, blackmail. Russia will continue to provide the necessary assistance to its allies in neutralizing the emerging threats and in defending its sovereignty,” Shoigu said at a meeting of the CSTO Council of Defense Ministers.

According to Shoigu, the West is trying to disrupt the allied relations of the CSTO countries.

The CSTO consists of Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.