Russian expert: Peace treaty will be signed despite Armenians' resistance Conversation with Stanislav Tarasov

Caliber.Az presents an interview with Stanislav Tarasov, a Russian political analyst, and expert on the Middle East and the Caucasus issues.

- Stanislav Nikolaevich, why do the soldiers of the Russian peacekeeping contingent deployed temporarily in Karabakh hinder the activities of Azerbaijani specialists and media representatives in the territory of Azerbaijan?

- I believe this is a technical issue. I think that Russian peacekeepers may or may not let Azerbaijani and Armenian citizens into Karabakh based on different factors that only they know. Therefore I would not draw any serious conclusions from this fact alone.

- In this case please explain how the Iranian saboteurs get to the territory of the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. Maybe the problem is that the Russian peacekeeping contingent does not cope with its duties?

- We have no official confirmation of this fact from the Russian peacekeepers. It is quite possible that these just fake.

- Do you also consider the threats of Armenian terrorists to Russian General Volkov a fake?

- I think it is a fake. Therefore, I will not comment on it.

- Will the Russian side respond to the French Foreign Ministry's proposal to extend the EU observer mission to Armenia?

- If the Armenian side agrees to prolong the EU mission in its territory, then that is only Armenia's problem. This question should be addressed to the Armenian side, which is trying to play on three platforms simultaneously - Brussels, Moscow, and Paris. I think that Yerevan will not benefit from this multi-movement game.

- So you find Armenia's policy to be losing? If this is the case, could you explain what you meant when you said in an interview with the Armenian media that Azerbaijan is losing big diplomacy? That is how you put it...

- What I meant was that Armenians are succeeding to drag out the negotiation process. As a consequence, Baku does not have time to convert its military victory into a peace treaty. This is a tactical victory for the Armenian side.

- By delaying negotiations with Azerbaijan, Armenia is harming itself first and foremost, and you certainly understand that. Moreover, you have just confirmed this fact by pointing out Yerevan's multimove game. Tell me, whose instructions is Armenia following: Moscow, Paris, or Brussels?

- Russia urges adherence to trilateral statements, while Armenia decides for itself what to do. Whether we like it or not is another matter. Baku does not like it. Moscow is observing neutrally for now.

- Do you think that Moscow's neutral position will delay the conclusion of a peace agreement between Baku and Yerevan?

- This is a very interesting question. So far, it is obvious that Armenians are resisting this. Nevertheless, sooner or later a peace agreement will be signed. But when exactly is hard to say.

- What is your forecast concerning the withdrawal of Russian peacekeepers from Karabakh in 2025?

- No one knows exactly what can happen by the end of this year. And the year 2025 is still a long way off. I think it's premature to forecast this issue.