Leaving Russia’s area of influence economically is not at all realistic, expert says

 
Speaking with Alpha News, political scientist and director of the Center for Policy Research in the US Mikhail Tilman commented on Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s statement that Armenia greatly values the role of the United States in the peace-building process.

According to the expert, the West’s interest is to occupy a certain position in the South Caucasus, which is part of a game against Russia.

“It is clear that Armenia has recently set a course to leave the area of Russia’s influence and move closer to the West. This is absolutely obvious. At the same time, however, we must understand a very important thing: the West’s interest is to occupy a certain position in Transcaucasia, on the southern border of Russia. This is part of the geopolitical game of the United States and the West directed specifically against Russia. Armenia is now the most convenient place for this because Georgia has again completely changed its political course—from hostility with Russia to neutrality, so to speak.

Another point is that one of the four most important trade roads, the so-called Great Silk Road, passes through the Caucasus region. Of course, control over trade roads is very important for the US,” Tilman said.

According to the expert, it is not realistic to economically leave Russia’s area of influence.

“Armenia will most likely leave the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), but it is difficult to say whether this will lead to an improvement in the economic and political situation in Armenia or not. I would even say that I am skeptical about this. The United States, no matter how powerful it is, is still far away. Russia is nearby; it will not go anywhere, and there will be nowhere to go away from it. This is just a fact of life. And arguing with neighbors is always bad. This is what the historical experience—or the painful experience of Russian-Ukrainian relations—shows. At the same time, it is quite obvious that Armenia is quite dependent on Russia economically, especially when it comes to energy supplies. So, leaving Russia’s area of influence economically is not at all realistic,” Tilman concluded.