Armenian Foreign Ministry suggests possible withdrawal of Russian border guards

The Armenian Foreign Ministry has raised the possibility that Russian border guards may soon withdraw from the Armenian-Turkish and Armenian-Iranian borders.

Paruyr Hovhannisyan, Armenia's Deputy Foreign Minister, indicated in a recent statement that his country aims to strengthen its own border control capabilities, Caliber.Az reports via Armenian media.

Responding to a journalist's question about the potential impact of the US Border Enforcement Security Task Force's visit to Armenia, Hovhannisyan explained that, ideally, each country should be responsible for managing its own borders.

"The statement made by former US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on January 14 regarding the visit of the US Border Enforcement Security Task Force was about improving the effectiveness of border control in Armenia," Hovhannisyan said.

He emphasized that the country has traditionally relied on a third-party nation for border management, but Armenia now seeks to enhance its sovereignty in this area.

Hovhannisyan confirmed that US assistance is intended to bolster Armenia's ability to independently secure its borders. When asked whether this assistance could lead to the withdrawal of Russian border guards, he affirmed that this was indeed a possibility.

This shift in border management could mark a significant change in Armenia's security dynamics, particularly with regard to its relations with Russia, which has historically played a key role in overseeing Armenia's border control.

By Vafa Guliyeva