Professor Khachikyan: Armenia gradually severing ties with Russia

Armenian political scientist, professor of Stanford University (US) Artur Khachikyan has said Armenia is gradually severing relations with Russia.

He made the remarks commenting on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's refusal to participate in the CIS summit in Bishkek, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

On October 10, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in a telephone conversation with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov that he would not be able to attend the CIS summit in Bishkek on October 13.

"This is the consistent line of the authorities, the task set before them by other countries - to reject any integration process with Russia. Armenia should withdraw from all processes, organisations related to Russia, surrender everything and submit to Turkey," Khachikyan said.

As for Nikol Pashinyan's statements that Armenia "has not cancelled anything in relations with Russia, has not withdrawn from anywhere" and is not changing its foreign policy vector, Khachikyan says that it is the style of the Armenian authorities to say one thing and do another.

He said the country's leadership periodically makes contradictory statements. However, they dream of "getting Russia out of the region.

The political scientist said it would be desirable to eliminate all of Armenia's diplomatic mistakes not only in relations with Russia but also with the West and other countries. But, according to Khachikyan, the current government is incompetent and incapable of doing so, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, is going step by step towards Russia's withdrawal from the region.

Despite Moscow's warnings, Yerevan has adopted the Rome Statute, and anti-Russian propaganda funded by people close to the government is going on in the country.

As for Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's statement that direct talks between foreign ministers could be an alternative to Russian mediation, Khachikyan said that this option could suit Armenia, given Yerevan's desire to reduce Moscow's role in the region.

Once again, having rejected Russian mediation, the Armenian authorities, according to the political analyst, may make another concession - "perhaps it will be the former enclaves, and afterwards the Zangazur corridor".

"For Azerbaijan, direct negotiations are more favourable, as the Armenian authorities are constantly making concessions and losing," Khachikyan said.

President Ilham Aliyev, receiving participants of the 53rd session of the Council of Heads of Security Bodies and Special Services of the CIS member states in Baku, said that in case Yerevan refuses Russia's mediation, direct negotiations between the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia may become an alternative.