"Soft power" ineffective in relation to Armenia Moscow dissatisfied with "enfant terrible"

Russia is closely monitoring everything that is happening in Armenia, fixing any step of the Armenian authorities towards the West. At the same time, Moscow is not averse to meaningfully reacting to every action and every word of Armenian politicians in its address. This is evidenced quite often recently by unequivocal warnings from the Russian Foreign Ministry, more precisely, pulling back – " are you overreacting, dear allies, we can also talk differently."

The roughly similar caustic remarks were made by Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, who addressed the participants of the Russian-Armenian media forum online a day earlier. Expressing concern about the growing number of pro-Western media resources in Armenia, Zakharova said that this "contributes to the discrediting of Russia in the region," harshly pointing out that "the anti-Russian campaign financed from abroad is aimed at changing public sentiments in Armenia.

"Unfortunately, there are information resources in Armenia that openly, excuse me, pour mud, not criticizing, but pouring mud on our common interstate mechanisms of interaction, including the CSTO and the EAEU. I would like to emphasize that this propaganda is not just encouraged, but promoted by the ‘collective West’ through generously funded numerous so-called NGOs, ‘experts’ and grants," Zakharova showed her awareness of how and what is being done in Yerevan. And she warned that "the true goal of such a campaign is to create a gap between Russia and Armenia and weaken Russia's influence in the international arena."

It should be acknowledged that Moscow's fears have serious grounds - Armenia really does not behave today as the closest ally of the Russian Federation. And there are more and more facts indicating that Yerevan is preparing to betray its "big brother" and go to the West. Yes, Yerevan would have left already, but it is afraid that suddenly the West will not protect Armenia. Moreover, if earlier Moscow reacted condescendingly enough to Yerevan's throwing, to its refusal to deploy the CSTO mission in its border area, caustic remarks about Russian policy, etc., now, judging by veiled threats, the cup of patience is filled almost to the brim.

How else should Zakharova's remarks in her address to Armenians about the situation in Ukraine be viewed? Isn't this a blatant hint that we will not stand on ceremony with Armenia either? Moreover, Solovyov, an old friend of Armenians, has already decided to cut a corridor to Iran through Armenia.

Moscow is also irritated by the upcoming Armenian-American military exercises on Armenian territory. The Kremlin immediately after the announcement of these manoeuvres said that this causes concern, especially in the current situation. Indeed, in the conditions of real confrontation between Russia and the West over the war in Ukraine, Moscow has the right to regard such movements by Yerevan, to put it mildly, as disloyalty to allied commitments.

Nevertheless, Russia, for its own reasons, is still limited to warning messages, acting with the methods of "soft power", although it has already become convinced that this does not work well with regard to Armenia. As modern history has already shown, the aggressor country understands only the language of force, and no other arguments have the proper result. But it's time, perhaps, to use more effective levers of pressure, say, economic ones, in order not in words, but in fact to rein in your obstinate child.

After all, membership in the EAEU alone gives Armenia significant trade and financial dividends. By the way, Artak Kamalyan, a member of the Board for Industry and Agro-Industrial Complex of the Eurasian Economic Commission, confirmed this in an interview with CivilNet the other day, admitting that Armenia has more advantages than disadvantages from joining the EAEU.

Meanwhile, Armenia's intention as a member of the CSTO and the EAEU to ratify the Rome status is undoubtedly no less a betrayal. This is exactly the opinion held in the Russian political community. According to Russian experts, the sovereignty and statehood of present-day Armenia directly depends on Russia's security guarantees, and not at all from the West, contrary to the illusory ideas of Yerevan. After betraying Russia, Armenia will do the same with regard to its new, still hypothetical patrons in the West, and since traitors are not favoured, the future of Armenia as a state is in great doubt…

In this vein, the Russian international expert Dmitry Verkhoturov expressed himself, commenting on Caliber.Az the statements of the representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Yerevan. He stated that Russia is "an ally, not a babysitter" for Armenia. And if Armenia itself is not able to develop a productive policy to build normal relations with its neighbours, then Russia will not help it in this, no matter how much Yerevan blames it for its troubles.

"First, I'll start by saying that Yerevan's blatantly anti-Russian policy with a look back to the West irritates Russia, and this is a fairly valid argument.

Second, Moscow is tired of Yerevan's endless flailing toward the West and the United States, as well as the constant accusations against it. These two factors inevitably lead to Moscow's angry reaction, which may not be good for Armenia. So far, Moscow has limited itself to messages, and the Armenian side should listen to them because first of all, it is in the interests of Armenia itself. It should realize that enmity with its neighbours will not lead to good. But apparently, Yerevan still does not understand this cardinal truth," Verkhoturov said.