Armenia is keeping the West's tune by clinging to Russia
Having neither the will nor the resources
ANALYTICS 14 February 2023 - 14:23
Matanat Nasibova Caliber.Az |
On the eve of the deployment of the EU civilian mission in Armenia, Yerevan began to make statements, intended to justify this, in fact, anti-Russian demarche in the form of landing in the South Caucasus of a large group of unknown purpose. In Moscow, the future mission is clearly seen as a threat to regional stability and a clear attempt by the West to oust Russia from the region. The recent statements by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, who reiterated Russia's intention to remain Armenia's main ally in the South Caucasus, also indicate that the Kremlin will react to the machinations of the Armenian leadership playing into the hands of the West.
Zakharova's statements that Brussels is trying to change the security system in the South Caucasus and that its cornerstone is the presence of the Russian military and Armenia's membership in the CSTO are not just a statement of fact, but also an indicator of Moscow's sharp negative attitude to Pashinyan's pro-Western policy and even more so to the involvement of the European Union in the region. The statements by the diplomat that Russian peacekeepers are ensuring peace in Karabakh and that Russian border guards are operating in Armenia, including in the Armenian-Azerbaijani border region, are a targeted message to the European Union and an extra reminder to Yerevan that Moscow will continue to keep it and the whole region in the orbit of its interests.
Zakharova's statements show that Moscow is not only dissatisfied with the position of its outpost in the South Caucasus, but also fully trusts Baku as a strategic ally and partner, for which maintaining regional stability and security is a priority. Moreover, for Russia, it is also important that, unlike Armenia, Azerbaijan, which also pursues an independent and multi-vector policy, is not a member and does not seek membership in any military bloc, demonstrating the constancy of its policy principles. This is one of Baku's strongest arguments, which contributes to preserving the credit of trust of its regional neighbours, in particular Russia.
Russia's closest ally, Armenia, on the other hand, has all but exhausted Moscow's trust and is now trying to resort to political subterfuge and, as they say, get away with it. That is, on the one hand, the Armenian leadership is demonstratively flirting with Brussels and Paris; on the other hand, it is trying to minimise Moscow's discontent by trying to shift the blame to Baku. This is how Yerevan is trying to justify the invitation of a European Union mission to the region to conduct monitoring along the conditional border with Azerbaijan. But Moscow is closely watching what is happening in the region and is still able to distinguish between black and white.
Meanwhile, reports that the EU mission might not be entirely civilian, and that a group of French gendarmes would be present, have added fuel to the fire. It is therefore not surprising that Yerevan's ridiculous explanations that it would be easier for gendarmes by virtue of their profession to report on the situation in the borderland did not find support and understanding in Moscow. Furthermore, according to Armenian media reports, the current EU civilian observer mission will at some stage receive a military component as well. This was stated by Tigran Abrahamyan, a member of the opposition I Have, a representative of the Defence and Security Committee, at a briefing in the National Assembly, which speaks of the reality of the fears of some Russian politicians about the possible future deployment of a NATO military contingent in the South Caucasus. Given these nuances, which are clearly at odds with Russia's interests, it is obvious that statements by Yerevan officials intended to retain at least some vestiges of Moscow's trust are meaningless. In general, in the current situation, Armenia can only count on the support of paid congressmen or MEPs, mostly from France, for example, Nathalie Loiseau. According to CivilNet, this lady said last week that she strongly supports a new EU mission with a broader scope and scale.
"I am pleased that France will provide the mission with eight gendarmes. On 20 February I will be in Armenia. I welcome Armenia's support and cooperation with the mission, which will be our eyes and ears on the ground, and its presence should deter further attacks. I only hope that Azerbaijan will cooperate with the mission in good faith," Loiseau warned with some menace, not ignoring the situation on the Lachin road, around which Armenia continues to create almost universal agitation.
Along with this, the French parliamentarian voiced several key messages to Russia, blaming Russian peacekeepers for inaction, because a real "drama" has been unfolding in front of their eyes for more than 50 days.
"We hear Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's scepticism about EU efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan. But we also see him taking Azerbaijan's side on the Karabakh issue," said Loiseau, adding that she thought the decision to send a mission to the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan in an extended format was appropriate.
The French parliamentarian probably voiced the EU's common position on Russian policy, not only on the situation on the Lachin road, but also on the negotiation process between Baku and Yerevan in general. Europe is seriously set to become the main mediator in the Armenian-Azerbaijani negotiations and is unlikely to limit itself to a two-year mission in the region. And this fact cannot but stress Moscow, especially now, when it is unable to effectively counteract the process that has already been launched and is therefore limited to declarative statements and indirect threats to Armenia. However, Pashinyan's recent statements about the forthcoming EU mission, as well as the phone conversation between the Armenian and Russian foreign ministers, during which the Armenian side expressed its desire to strengthen its alliance with Russia, suggest that no matter how much Armenia looks back at the West, it is not yet daring to break with Russia. Armenia has neither the political will nor the resources to do so.
Caliber.Az
1
|
Ukraine, West unleash hybrid operation against Azerbaijan Baku disappointed with Kyiv’s actions
25 March 2024 - 15:25
|
2
|
Syrian scenario for Armenia Russian, Israeli experts’ views for Caliber.Az
26 March 2024 - 17:27
|
3
|
Serbian president warns of difficult days ahead
27 March 2024 - 11:04
|
4
|
Poland suspends military drills following fifth soldier's death
27 March 2024 - 13:41
|
5
|
Understanding the complexities of Russian-Turkish relations Putin's delayed visit to Türkiye
25 March 2024 - 14:26
|
The New York Times: Why Russia’s vast security services fell short on deadly attack
28 March 2024 - 17:00
Armenia's Republican Party advocates Western solutions for national challenges
28 March 2024 - 16:49
Turkiye neutralizes over 600 “terrorists” since January
28 March 2024 - 16:40
Another protest against French colonialism held in New Caledonia
Azerbaijani flag raised28 March 2024 - 16:25
Azerbaijan's scepticism, Russia's concerns, & France's role in the South Caucasus
Geopolitical chess28 March 2024 - 16:10
Armenia lured by Brussels' bait
Yerevan’s pivot from Moscow28 March 2024 - 15:58
What does the Moscow terror attack mean for Russia?
The enemy is much closer28 March 2024 - 15:43
The Hub: COP29 to nudge global climate policy in a more pragmatic position
28 March 2024 - 15:29
Armenia’s ruling party affirms unity amidst allegations of “government in exile”
28 March 2024 - 15:14
Armenian opposition media alleges PM Pashinyan plot to remove Russian base
28 March 2024 - 15:00
PKK supporters spark chaos at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris
VIDEO28 March 2024 - 14:49
Media: Terrorists in Moscow attack drugged with psychotropic substances
28 March 2024 - 14:40
Azerbaijani Ombudswoman meets with Armenian residents in Khankendi
28 March 2024 - 14:31
Georgian Business Association names main problem for business in Georgia
28 March 2024 - 14:22
S Korea, US, Japan discuss security cooperation against N Korea threats
28 March 2024 - 14:10
Armenian prime minister's office denounces government in exile
28 March 2024 - 14:00
Traders аre buying oil at fastest rate since 2020
28 March 2024 - 13:55
China’s Xi meets foreign business leaders amid jitters over economy
28 March 2024 - 13:42
Armenian MP predicts Russian border guard withdrawal from Azerbaijan border
28 March 2024 - 13:36
Kyrgyzstan warns citizens against online recruitment after Moscow terrorist attacks
28 March 2024 - 13:36
Foreign firms' losses from exiting Russia top $107 billion
28 March 2024 - 13:30
Russia exposes concerns over April 5 Armenia-EU-US high-level Brussels meeting
Moscow warning against growing western influence28 March 2024 - 13:22
US “strongly supports” Azerbaijan's COP29 presidency
28 March 2024 - 13:17
Senegal seeks independence from Paris
France loses another "colony"28 March 2024 - 13:04
Turkish foreign minister condemns PKK terrorism spreading abroad
28 March 2024 - 13:04
Le Figaro confession: France's failed policy towards Azerbaijan exposed
Pressure on Baku proved pointless28 March 2024 - 12:55
Armenian pundit: Pashinyan is called to Brussels to accept Baku’s conditions
28 March 2024 - 12:51
Khankendi continues to be cleared of Armenian weapons
NUMBERS28 March 2024 - 12:39
Russian Foreign Ministry accuses NATO of preparing for potential conflict
28 March 2024 - 12:30
Armenian banks ceasing Russian Mir cards threatens economic stability
Economist warns28 March 2024 - 12:21
Vucic warns of Serbia's Council of Europe departure amid Kosovo debate
Double standards alert28 March 2024 - 12:13
Yerevan does not recognize any “Karabakh government in exile”
Armenian PM’s statement28 March 2024 - 12:04
Azerbaijan to host international conference on mine clearance
28 March 2024 - 11:55
Kazakh leader calls for expansion of transit ties between Asian countries
28 March 2024 - 11:46
Fixing a fractured world in an age of uncertainty
Amashov converses with former Serbian President Boris Tadic/VIDEO28 March 2024 - 11:29
Armenian frontiers announce recruitment to Yerevan airport
28 March 2024 - 11:21
Kremlin urges Telegram to pay attention to use of social network by terrorists
28 March 2024 - 11:20
Western Azerbaijani Community accuses France of meddling in regional affairs
28 March 2024 - 11:14
Japan eyes upgrade of airports, ports for possible defence use
28 March 2024 - 11:08
France plans to turn South Caucasus into battlefield
Azerbaijan's security chief says28 March 2024 - 10:59