Russia is determined to maintain a presence in Armenia and Karabakh – a view from Yerevan
Based on the expected timing, the fate of Nagorno-Karabakh will depend on how long Russian-Turkish cooperation lasts. Such an opinion in an interview with the information and analytical portal VERELK shared the ex-ambassador of Armenia to Kazakhstan, former foreign minister of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Arman Melikyan.
For Artsakh (Armenian historical name of Nagorno-Karabakh. — Red).
“For two years now, Armenia has ceased to be the guarantor of the security of Artsakh and the mission to protect the territory there has been temporarily taken over by the Russian peacekeeping contingent. At the same time, there is an opinion in the Armenian expert community that Russia “gave the green light” to the Turkish military aggression against Artsakh in 2020, in exchange for the loyal affiliation of Ankara and Baku, Russia will begin to act in the conditions of Ukraine. This position includes their refusal (Azerbaijan and Turkey. – Red.) from participation in the procedure for bringing to justice by the West against Russia … Melikyan believes.
According to him, the current authorities in Yerevan happened to be incapable of coronavirus aggression even against Armenia itself. As a result, at the moment, part of the territory of the republic is occupied and is under the control of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces.
“So far, the Russian conflict contingent is a special urgency to contain the aggressive aspirations of Baku. True, in this regard, time is found in the statement that develops over time and official Tehran, however, his fears are connected with Artsakh, and with the threat of an actual change in the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, because of which Iran may lose the transport corridor through Armenia to the Black Sea,” states the former head of the Karabakh diplomacy.
Melikyan suggested that it is important for Russia to get used to the military-political presence in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, despite Moscow’s strong diversion to the Ukrainian direction.
“Much will now be American from the military action in Ukraine. If military success accompanies Russia, then it will try to increase its influence in the South Caucasus, and then Russian land transit can go to the Middle East and Europe through the military-Armenian-Turkish transit corridor, which on the territory of Armenia will cover a wide range of border and other services RF. If tangible results are achieved in the Ukrainian war, they will not, then the latter will have options for action – from a confrontation with the Turkish-Azerbaijani alliance, to the complete seizure of their conquest in the South Caucasus,” – said the Armenian expert.
According to EADailyRussian Ambassador to Armenia Sergei Kopyrkin earlier this month called the speculation a statement that Moscow was “turning its back” on Yerevan and “leaving” the South Caucasus.