Russia has put Armenia’s choice squarely on the table: Pyotr Kolchin

Pyotr Kolchin, a political scientist and military expert, assessed Armenia’s relations with Russia and the EAEU in a comment to Alpha News, and also shared his views on Moscow’s reaction to the Armenian leadership’s foreign policy course.

In the political scientist’s view, Russia has put Armenia’s choice squarely on the table.

“In recent years, Moscow has been trying, in a very diplomatic manner, to convey its position to Yerevan to show the Pashinyan administration that such a pro-Western course, to the detriment of EAEU interests, would have consequences. An enormous number of dialogues were conducted, including, as we can see, at the very highest level.

Constant attempts were made to build the relationship in a transparent and clear manner, but Pashinyan would every time say one thing and do something entirely different.

That is why Russia is now putting the question squarely on the table. The recent EAEU summit showed that the other members of the bloc support it in this. Their position is that Armenia’s European course, whatever form it takes, must not cause harm to the EAEU.

As things stand, Pashinyan’s attempts to sit on two chairs to enjoy the benefits of the EAEU while simultaneously trying to bargain for additional advantages from the EU are causing harm to the Eurasian Economic Union’s partners. Russia has grown tired of tolerating Pashinyan’s antics, and that is why Putin’s position was spelled out with complete clarity,” Kolchin said.

In the expert’s view, Moscow is no longer willing to put up with Yerevan’s attempts to sit on two chairs.

“Russia will always support the Armenian people, will always regard them as a friend and ally, and will respect decisions made on the basis of the Armenian people’s will. However, Moscow wants transparency and certainty. Sitting on two chairs while constantly feeding partners promises is no longer an option. All these maneuvers, carried out, if one may put it this way, in a distinctly Turkish style, do not suit Moscow. And now it has demonstrated this through concrete political actions,” Kolchin concluded.