World Order 2.0: Konstantin Zatulin

Alpha News’ project World Order 2.0 continues its series of conversations about the emerging global order and Armenia’s place within it. Host Hayk Khalatyan met with Konstantin Zatulin, Director of the Institute of CIS Countries, First Deputy Chairman of Russia’s State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs and Eurasian Integration, member of the Scientific Advisory Board of Russia’s Security Council, and of the Presidium of the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy.

Zatulin provided a detailed analysis of Moscow’s policy in post-Soviet countries:

“The ‘near abroad,’ as we call it, by definition cannot be indifferent to us. This is a territory where we lived together for hundreds of years, for which we fought, and where we continue to struggle for influence.”

He commented on the prospects for reforming the CSTO and the challenges of Eurasian integration, linking them to migration policy: “Migration should not be seen as a problem, but as a tool for the socio-economic development of Russia and those countries that supply these resources.”

According to him, tightening migration laws in Russia could complicate integration within the EAEU, but without freedom of labor movement the union cannot exist.

Zatulin devoted special attention to the South Caucasus and the consequences of the Karabakh war.

“The winners—in this case Azerbaijan and the Turkey behind it—have sown the dragon’s teeth. The injustice toward the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh led to all Armenians leaving their native land, abandoning homes, churches, cemeteries. This will always weigh heavily on the heart,” he said.

He criticized the policies of Armenia’s government under Nikol Pashinyan.
“The Armenian government today takes anti-national positions when it comes to the Armenian Apostolic Church, human rights and freedoms, and the assessment of the past. There is no need to invent foreign villains when you yourselves are the architects of your own misfortune,” Zatulin emphasized.

Zatulin also underscored the importance of regional formats: “We believe the problems of the Caucasus should be resolved in the Caucasus…That is why we support the ‘3+3’ scheme: Russia, Turkey, Iran, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.”

He warned against the involvement of non-regional players such as the EU and the US, noting that Iran also views such attempts negatively.

The interview became part of a broader discussion about Russia’s future as an independent pole of power and about Armenia’s place in the new architecture of international relations. Zatulin is convinced that interest in post-Soviet countries will remain a priority, and that Armenia must recognize the importance of regional cooperation for its own security and development.