Russian-Armenian relations are in transitional stage now – Sergey Stankevich

Speaking with Alpha News, Russian political scientist Sergey Stankevich commented on Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s visit to Moscow.

According to the expert, Pashinyan wants to show that he has a geopolitical alternative.

“Pashinyan plays the classical role of Shakespeare’s Hamlet on the international stage. That is, he is not wondering ‘to be or not to be’ but rather where to be. And, apparently, he will keep this role until Armenia’s relations with Azerbaijan, on the one hand, and with Turkey, on the other hand, are finally normalized. This is a very difficult period for developing necessary documents, signing and ratifying them. Apparently, Pashinyan wants to keep some intrigue, some pressure from his side, showing that he has a geopolitical alternative.

But when the process of normalization of Armenia’s foreign policy status is completed, I believe he will make the final choice. Or this choice will be made by someone else.

Russian-Armenian relations are now in a transitional stage. This transitional period will not last long as the finish line is near. The general trend is a shift towards the good, although Pashinyan is maneuvering to show that he is not forced to do what he is doing, to show that he has a choice. And he wants to maintain this situation of having a choice till the end,” Stankevich said.