Armenia’s leadership has failed in its attempt to sit on two chairs: Elena Panina

Elena Panina, director of the Institute of International Political and Economic Strategies, commented to Alpha News on Armenia’s foreign policy course and its possible consequences at the XII International Academic and Expert Forum “Primakov Readings.”

“Unfortunately, Armenia’s leadership has made its choice. The attempt to sit on two chairs has not worked out. And when that sabbath took place, where Zelensky arrived alongside European leaders and EU officials, where purely anti-Russian slogans and calls were voiced, Pashinyan not only endorsed it, but actively participated. In doing so, he made an anti-Russian choice,” said Panina.

In the expert’s view, Pashinyan, as his country’s leader, is completely indifferent to the future of the Armenian people.

“Yerevan today is trying to push Armenia down the Ukrainian scenario. I understand that Armenian businesses and people who work on the ground and are oriented toward the Russian market do not particularly accept such a choice and many do not accept it at all. Pashinyan’s election victory was largely due to the messages he put forward, as well as promises of future benefits from joining the European Union, backed by European leaders. But already now we can see that no benefits and no European market are opening up for Armenia. We see the same on the example of Ukraine. Unfortunately, I cannot offer any favourable forecasts for Armenia today. It appears Armenia will have to walk its own portion of this bitter path. That is a great pity,” said Panina.

According to the expert, only through cooperation with Russia can Armenia prosper and develop.

“The Armenian people are very talented and long-suffering. There was the Armenian massacre of 1915, and now all of this is being erased from the memory of the Armenian people. And only Russia, as it was then, more than a hundred years ago, so it is now, is the only country through cooperation and partnership with which Armenia can prosper and develop. I would very much like this understanding to come to Armenia. Perhaps the veil that European politicians are so skilled at casting over entire peoples, deceiving them, will lift in time. Understanding will remain, and Armenia will return to normal relations with the Russian Federation,” Panina concluded.