We are allies, and aggression against Armenia equals aggression against Russia — Ivan Timofeev

Speaking with Alpha News, Ivan Timofeev, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, commented on the allied relationship between Russia and Armenia and speculation on this topic.

“This is a fundamental issue for Armenia, for the country’s security, and the answer is quite simple. We have formal allied obligations. Armenia is an ally of Russia, and Russia is an ally of Armenia. If any country escalates aggression against Armenia, Russia is obliged to intervene in this conflict on Armenia’s side. For this, there are appropriate military infrastructures, capabilities, forces, and means. I know that there is considerable speculation about this issue, this topic is actively discussed in the political sphere. This is understandable, but the reasons for these discussions, and sometimes speculations, are also understandable. My opinion and, in fact, the official position of Russia implies that we are allies and aggression against Armenia is equivalent to aggression against Russia,” the expert noted.

When asked about Armenia’s attempts to diversify its security partnerships, Timofeev emphasized that no Western forces would intervene in the event of aggression against Armenia.

“The issue should be approached as objectively as possible. If we set aside the political discussion and look at the situation soberly, what does Armenia lose from the alliance with Russia? Nothing. There are no losses, there is a security guarantee, and it would be good if there was no aggression at all, then there will be no situation in which we will have to use our mutual allied obligations. Armenia loses nothing from this alliance. Who could be an alternative?

The European Union is not a military force, they are trying now, but when will this happen? General De Gaulle said that a European army should be created, but when was that? The European Union is trying, it has its own security program. But they have not even created intelligence yet, although there has been so much talk. The creation of the EU security structures is moving extremely slowly, they are absorbed into NATO. As for Armenia, will NATO provide it with security guarantees? Of course not. If you are not a NATO member, there will be no security guarantees. Moreover, there is the Turkish factor. NATO has a very interesting history. Turkey and Greece are both NATO members, and their relations resemble those of Azerbaijan and Armenia. NATO plays a certain restraining role there, but nothing more. The United States can promise something, but can you imagine the Americans actually intervening in the conflict if Armenia were attacked? And then, you see, we have centuries-old relations, can you imagine Russia demanding payment from Armenia for ensuring security?

Look at the US-Ukraine relations. There was support for 3 years, and now they have presented a bill. What was previously considered aid must now be paid for. They have already paid with human lives, and now they will have to pay more, give up mineral resources for several generations to come. I cannot imagine such a thing in Russian-Armenian relations at all, it is beyond our identity, political culture. Presenting such a cynical bill and saying, ‘Now, pay up’ is unacceptable. Of course, Armenia is a sovereign state, with its own independent foreign policy. But from a rational and pragmatic perspective, evaluating everything solely through the lens of costs and losses would be simply cynical,” Timofeev noted.