Armenia does not seem to be so zealous in protecting its interests, says Ruben Melkonyan

Speaking with Alpha News, Ruben Melkonyan, Turkologist and Faculty Director of Oriental Studies at Yerevan State University, noted that he, like many others, is quite sensitive to any changes in Russian-Turkish relations.

“There is no love, friendship or other similar relationships in politics. I am sensitive to this issue because I am guided by old stereotypes, when Turkish-Russian relations were quite tense and the Russian orientation was surely more beneficial and more noticeable for us. Russia could make statements similar to those made in 1993 and the statement by Marshal Shaposhnikov, who said that if the Turkish army suddenly crossed the Akhuryan River, World War III would begin. I call this ‘Shaposhnikov syndrome’. We are now expecting 1993 Marshal-style announcements in 2023. To understand all this, we must see what realities have changed in Russian-Turkish relations, what interests, and what changes have occurred in roles, and in accordance with this, appropriately respond to these realities,” the Turkologist said.

Ruben Melkonyan is convinced that Russian-Turkish relations should be under constant monitoring․

“It is a fact that Armenian-Turkish relations are largely interconnected with Russian-Turkish relations. We must constantly monitor Russian-Turkish relations and act properly to be able to coordinate our interests. Otherwise, during the big game, Armenian interests may be sacrificed. If you can meet your interests, you can also have appropriate expectations for yourself and achieve those expectations,” Melkonyan said.

At the same time, our interlocutor stated that anti-Russian propaganda is being spread in Armenia․

“We should not ignore the pointedly anti-Russian propaganda that is being carried out by certain centers and structures. Leaving that aside, sensitivity and realism should be comparable. We cannot expect that Russia will ignore its interests and protect the interests of Armenia, especially since Armenia does not seem to be so zealous in protecting its interests,” Melkonyan concluded.