What is happening now in Armenia is a turning point at which there is no room for error, says expert

Speaking with Alpha News, Professor Marat Bashirov at Russia’s HSE University commented on the growing protests in Yerevan against the current government as well as Russia’s role in the South Caucasus region.

“What is happening now in Armenia is a turning point at which there is no room for error. One cannot make mistakes because we see how rapidly the world is changing and how different forces are trying to drag countries to their side. Armenia has ended up in this situation, and today we need to make a responsible choice. It seems to me that so far, Mr. Pashinyan is making this responsible choice not in favor of the citizens but based on some of his own considerations. I am not a supporter of conspiracy theories, but nevertheless, a trend of separation from Russia and Iran is visible. On the one hand, there are concessions to Azerbaijan and Turkey; on the other, there is no attempt to consolidate the resources of Armenia.

Armenia has a huge diaspora in Moscow, France, and the USA, but at the same time we do not see consolidation. The state must protect its people. Does Pashinyan fully protect his people today? To be honest, I doubt it,” Bashirov said.

Speaking about Armenian-Russian relations, the expert noted that the Russian authorities, since the time of the Tsar, have always been very patient.

“Armenia differs from Ukraine or Georgia since it is an enclave. That is, Armenia has a very complicated territorial presence and enormous dependence on its neighbors. Russia has been and remains among these neighbors for a very long time. The Russian authorities are well aware of Armenia’s dependence on its territorial location. The Russian authorities, since the time of the Tsar, have always been very patient.

President Putin is extremely patient. A huge number of Armenians are simultaneously citizens of both Armenia and Russia; a huge Armenian diaspora lives in Russia. Russia always remembers that the Armenian people are one of those peoples who are fundamental to the Russian Federation,” Bashirov noted.