Andrey Areshev: Russian-Armenian relations are moving towards alienation

Russian political scientist, expert at the Strategic Culture Foundation Andrey Areshev commented to Alpha News on Ilham Aliyev’s recent statement on the negotiation process with Armenia and suggested where Russian- Armenian relations were going.

“It seems to me that Azerbaijan is carefully monitoring and analyzing the dynamics in Russian-Armenian relations and the growing alienation between Moscow and Yerevan, including both the political and diplomatic path. This, as we know, resulted in the refusal of both Pashinyan and Ararat Mirzoyan to attend the summit of the leaders and the foreign ministers of the CIS countries in Bishkek. It seems to me that Baku understands this well and it is not completely satisfied with all those platforms on which Armenian-Azerbaijani relations are now being discussed, not only the Russian platform, but also, I suppose the European, Western platform. Hence the second part of Aliyev’s statement, already traditional dissatisfaction with the position of Paris.

Fully aware of the weakness of the current Armenian authorities, Baku, in its offensive spirit, is forming certain formats that would be beneficial and preferable specifically for Azerbaijan, hoping that the Armenian side, which is in a difficult situation, will agree to this. And this corresponds to the traditional style of Baku diplomacy in recent years,” the expert said.

Commenting on the misunderstanding between Armenia and Russia, Andrey Areshev noted that this would adversely affect the economies of both countries.

“Russian-Armenian relations are moving towards alienation. And Moscow will somehow respond to those unfriendly steps that the current Armenian authorities have taken recently, in particular the ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). I’m afraid that we will continue to move along the path of some kind of mutual alienation and misunderstanding. This may negatively affect trade and economic relations between our countries. And, of course, any negativity will be instantly picked up and spread by instigators from both sides. There are enough of them, and this is very alarming,” Areshev concluded.