They are moving in different directions, Bogdan Bezpalko on Armenian-Russian relations

Russian political scientist Bogdan Bezpalko commented to Alpha News on the statement of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov regarding the promotion of the interests of the United States, the EU and NATO through Armenia.

“Lavrov refers to Armenia’s gradual withdrawal from allied relations with the Russian Federation, although they still remain the same on the surface. Armenia has retained membership in the CSTO and in the EAEU; the deployment of the Russian 102nd base on the territory of Armenia and its status have not yet been questioned. But in general, this movement is obvious, and it may lead to eventual ousting of Russia from Armenia, and in general from the South Caucasus.

What will this mean? Well, obviously, this could mean the strengthening of Azerbaijan and Turkiye, on the one hand, and on the other hand, this could mean a resumption of the conflict, but not so much around Karabakh, but around the ‘Zangezur Corridor’. The fact is that a number of countries artificially initiate conflicts in order to later act as an arbiter, or, so to speak, a peacemaker for public opinion, in order to stop and extinguish these conflicts themselves,” the expert said.

Bezpalko expressed belief that external interested parties are penetrating the region with far-reaching plans.

“In this situation, I am afraid that a conflict may unfold here, which will be stopped by the United States, but with the goal of penetrating and controlling this region. The main thing here is not only an attempt to oust Russia from the Caucasus, but also to influence Iran and China, and, of course, to have more control over the Caspian Sea. Let me remind you that the Caspian region was declared a zone of special interests of the United States due to the large reserves of mineral resources in this region,” the political scientist noted.

The expert is pessimistic about Armenian-Russian relations and predicts further discord between the two countries.

“I can cautiously say that they are moving in different directions. Well, that is, after some time, the question may arise—perhaps with a change of the Armenian leadership—about Armenia’s withdrawal from the CSTO and EAEU integration unions, and about the withdrawal of Russian troops from the 102nd base in Gyumri. I observe these tendencies now. If these tendencies persist, then this could all end like this,” Bezpalko concluded.