"France prepares Armenia for a new war" Expert opinions on Caliber.Az

France is one of the main forces behind the militarization of Armenia, according to Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan.  It is difficult to disagree with this, especially when observing how actively Paris has been increasing its military and political support for Yerevan, where revanchist sentiments are still strong.

In an interview with Caliber.Az, Russian political scientist and Director of the Institute for a New Society, Vasily Koltashov, argued that Armenia’s decision to distance itself from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) signalled a shift in its strategic alliances.

According to Koltashov, Armenia is now "playing for a different team," with France stepping in as a key intermediary. "France is preparing Armenia for a new war, and this is undeniable," Koltashov said, emphasizing that Armenia is likely to escalate tensions with regional powers, particularly Azerbaijan, in hopes of receiving more tangible support from the West.

Koltashov further suggested that, if relations between Georgia and Russia improve, Armenia might even adopt an anti-Georgian stance. He also highlighted that Armenia’s policies are driven by a desire to regain lost territories, with a clear revanchist approach towards Azerbaijan. 

"The West’s actions are fostering a region-wide tension, rather than facilitating peace," Koltashov concluded, warning of the potential for a new military conflict in the South Caucasus.

Roman Gurevich, Honorary Ambassador of the World Jewish Agency "Sokhnut" and Israeli political scientist, took a sharp stance against France’s involvement in the region. Gurevich accused France of undermining efforts to achieve peace, stating that, "For thirty years, France overlooked the occupation of Azerbaijani territories, instead pushing Armenia’s interests within the OSCE Minsk Group." 

He expressed concern that France was now adopting imperial tactics to restore its influence by exacerbating regional instability.

According to Gurevich, France’s support of Armenia goes beyond military aid—Armenian forces are being trained in France, and weapons are being supplied to Yerevan. Yet, France has not addressed humanitarian issues, such as the ongoing problem of landmines in the region, which continue to cause civilian casualties.

Gurevich argued that Paris is turning Armenia into a proxy, while at the same time maintaining its traditionally close ties with Iran. "While the West aims to curb the Iranian nuclear threat, France is playing its own game," he stated.

Gurevich concluded that France’s policy of fostering conflict in the region was driven by political self-interest. "In the midst of bloody turmoil, political profit can always be gained. France would be better off focusing on domestic issues and abandoning its ‘Olympic Smurfs’ policy, rather than meddling in foreign conflicts," he said.

The involvement of France in Armenia’s militarization, as well as its broader influence in the South Caucasus, continues to be a contentious issue, with experts warning that the risks of further destabilization are high.