Absence of Armenian soldiers at Victory Parade is Pashinyan’s political myopia – Anatoly Matviychuk

Speaking with Alpha News, Russian military observer Anatoly Matviychuk commented on Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s visit to the Victory Parade in Moscow without an Armenian parade contingent.

“The fact is, Nikol Pashinyan hesitated until the last moment about whether he would attend the Parade himself. I believe that either someone pressured him, his instinct for self-preservation took over, compelling him to attend. After all, the Armenian people are a victorious nation who participated in World War II on the side of the Soviet Union. But there is no time to prepare a military contingent—no time to organize a formation of soldiers. The CIS and CSTO countries sent their soldiers and officers in advance. They have undergone training, achieved coherence, and are ready to take part in the Parade. Only Pashinyan’s indecision and his unwillingness to talk directly with the Russian leadership led to this unfortunate outcome,” Matviychuk said.

According to him, Pashinyan’s actions convey a certain message, but one that does not work to his advantage.

“His actions contain the following message: ‘I am still with you, I share the values of Victory. But, you see, there will be no soldiers at the parade.’ I see this as pure political myopia on Pashinyan’s part. He did not want to go to the Parade and did not want Armenian soldiers to participate in it. That is why he is now viewed in an unfavorable light,” the expert concluded.