Russia monitors every step of Armenian leadership – Andrey Sidorchik

Speaking with Alpha News, Russian journalist and political scientist Andrey Sidorchik commented on the announcement that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will travel to St. Petersburg to attend a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council.

“Indeed, the Armenian authorities are eager to retain certain economic benefits, especially given the current state of the special military operation and Russia’s economic difficulties. Russia is not inclined to take any drastic measures or sever relations. Consequently, Pashinyan is attempting to take advantage of this. So far, we see that Moscow is not making any serious, active moves against the Armenian leadership. It continues to maintain a certain constructive approach. This means that, in this situation, Moscow apparently does not believe that Pashinyan’s actions will have critical consequences for Russia,” the expert said.

According to Sidorchik, it is important to understand that Russia is playing the long game.

“Of course, everything that’s happening in Armenia politically—work within the CSTO, moves toward NATO, even if not fully implemented, statements, and Pashinyan’s behavior toward the church—all of this remains under observation. Moscow is taking note of all of this. There are absolutely no illusions here. Therefore, I emphasize once again: no one is forcing decisions or escalating the situation, but that does not mean that what is happening does not affect the prospects for cooperation. We must understand that Russia is playing the long game. Nothing that happens to any state, including in the post-Soviet space and to Armenia, is ever forgotten in Moscow. Everything that was done—both positive and negative—will play a role in the future,” Sidorchik said.