Military expert: PM Pashinyan risks burying relations with Russia By estranging Armenia from CSTO

Russian military expert Alexei Leonkov has said that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is likely to sever all ties with Russia by withdrawing from the Collective Security Organisation (CSTO).

He made the remark in an interview with Armenian media, Caliber.Az reports.

"On the one hand, Pashinyan is not making any drastic steps because apparently he is not fully sure of his future as a politician and the situation is such that he is playing between two fires. If the West finally loses to Russia in Ukraine, his decision, as they say, will be reckless and will also come back to haunt him."

"But Pashinyan doesn't really choose. He is following the plan for the sake of which he was brought to power. In other words, his main task is to isolate Armenia from cooperation with Russia. And all these events that have taken place in Armenia with his participation are gradual steps that have led and will lead to the result that the Anglo-Saxons dream of.

The change of Armenia's course became obvious already during the visit of the US delegation, and the situation was supplemented by the European Union's proposals regarding Armenia's inclusion in the European integration processes.

When the representatives of the United States of America came to Armenia, all this said that Armenia would leave the CSTO and most likely cut all ties with Russia. In addition, now there are proposals to Armenia from the European Union, from their head of diplomacy Borrell. All these proposals are reminiscent of the proposals that were made to Ukraine as well.

It promised a visa-free regime, i.e. free movement within the EU countries. It says that Armenia will be included in the fraternal family of European nations as a candidate, but at the same time will participate in all EU-led missions and activities. It is proposed to be included in some energy projects that will pass through the territory of Armenia. Perhaps they are pipelines or something else. But everyone realises that under this proposal there will be simply a buying up of those national powers that exist on the territory of Armenia.

As for Zelenskyy's visit, this announced visit to Armenia will not bring anything good to the relations of the two countries and promises the final discord between Armenia and Russia.

If Zelenskyy comes to Armenia, Armenia will fully demonstrate its anti-Russian position. Everyone knows that Zelenskyy goes to Russia's enemies, whom we call unfriendly countries. And his coming to Armenia is nothing but a record of the same fact. In other words, perhaps this will be the final point that will bury the centuries-old relations between Russia and Armenia," Alexei Leonkov concluded.