Pashinyan will do everything to pull Armenia out of Russia’s sphere of influence: Aslan Rubaev

Aslan Rubaev, a political scientist, commented to Alpha News on the shift in Armenia’s foreign policy course and the prospects for Russian-Armenian relations. In the expert’s view, Armenia needs to diversify its foreign policy while maintaining its alliance with Russia, since further distancing from Moscow and growing Western influence could lead to irreparable consequences.

“Unfortunately, we have to state what we warned about and talked about earlier: Nikol Pashinyan, Prime Minister of Armenia, will do everything to pull Armenia out of Russia’s sphere of influence, distance it from Russia, diversify its foreign policy and start building it in a completely different format. The main question now is how not to lose Armenia, how to preserve normal, friendly, warm relations with its historical ally, Russia, so that none of this repeats the events we are now seeing between Russia and Ukraine. Armenia is not Ukraine, after all, but its foreign policy actions and political moves are very similar and resemble Ukraine’s model of behavior. Still, we hope that Armenian wisdom will not allow it to repeat the mistakes made by the young Ukrainian state,” the expert said.

The political scientist expressed hope that the wise Armenian people will find the strength to choose the right path for themselves.

“Armenia is one of the oldest states, and I am sure it will overcome the current crisis and find ways to diversify its foreign policy properly, without breaking off its good, reliable partnership with Russia. We in Russia very much hope for this, but we note with great regret that Armenia is drifting away from Russia, moving away from Russia and becoming saturated with various European and American foundations. Unfortunately, anti-Russia and anti-Russian narratives are being actively promoted in Armenia, and they are expanding their influence over the public.

All this could, of course, lead to irreparable consequences, so we hope common sense will prevail. Armenia’s drift in a pro-Western direction should be reoriented toward neither a pro-Western nor a pro-Russian course, but the one Armenia needs: a pro-Armenian one. And that means allied and close relations with Russia, but of course without isolating itself or shutting itself off from the world. I hope the Armenian people will find this fine, delicate political line and save Armenia and save our union,” Rubaev said.