Russia being pushed out of Yerevan-Baku negotiation process – Vasily Koltashov

Speaking with Alpha News, political scientist Vasily Koltashov commented on the outcome of the negotiations between the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Abu Dhabi. According to the expert, the South Caucasus may become a problematic area for Russia, where Russian influence will be reduced to zero.

“There is a possibility that Aliyev and Pashinyan will agree on peace, and without excessive pressure from Azerbaijan, it will be the end of the conflict. All this will happen under the influence and control of the West and on the basis that Azerbaijan will sever ties with Russia and enter more closely into the Western anti-Russian coalition, aligning here with ‘Pashinyan’s’ Armenia, which will also be in the anti-Russian camp. And thus, the South Caucasus will become a problematic area for Russia, where its influence will be reduced to zero. And this is the danger that exists and which, it seems to me, Russian diplomats would like to exclude by joining the negotiation process, giving this process stability and ensuring greater protection of Armenia’s interests, putting hidden pressure on Azerbaijan so that it accepts the peace agreement. The goal is to resolve the conflict, but not in a way that leads to the formation of an anti-Russian coalition. Instead, the aim is to establish peace based on economic cooperation with Russia. Will this work? This is a very big question due to the fact that pro-Western circles are in power in Yerevan, and they are interested in working with Moscow’s proposals in such a way that Moscow fails,” Koltashov said.

According to the expert, both Aliyev and Pashinyan are very content, but for Armenia, this is a defeat.

“This is all very sad. And I am afraid that these statements made by representatives of the Russian Foreign Ministry about a new role, new efforts in the negotiation process will not work now, because Russia is already being pushed out of the diplomatic process. Judging by the photographs, both Aliyev and Pashinyan are very content, but for Armenia, this is still a defeat, there is no success here for Armenia,” Koltashov concluded.