Your trusted source

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan spoke of his recent visit to Moscow at a cabinet session, assessing it as “efficient”. The PM assured that Armenian-Russian relations are developing dynamically and at a good space, adding “there are no problems” there. 

Panorama.am turned to political scientist Levon Shirinyan to comment on the current nature of Russian-Armenian relations.

“I can state that the government program suggests equal relations with Russia that we have lacked for a long period. Secondly, the prime minister made certain open statement in Stepanakert about Artsakh. Judging from those, we may assume he sees no resistance in those issues. If that is the case, everything is great. It is to say Russia, presumably, accepts the Armenian thesis that we can be just strategic partners if we are not allies. I want to refer to Pashinyan’s statement in that context,” Shirinyan said.

In his words, foreigners have well documented the repeatedly stated idea of the prime minister that his mindset and policy is centered around Armenia and the Armenians.

“Russia has made no statement thus far, neither initiated any action which suggests it agrees to that idea of Armenia-centered policy. The time will tell whether it will be continuous or not,” the expert noted.

Asked how long it will take for Armenian-Russian relations to proceed without any problems, Shirinyan replied: “If it is stated there is zero problem, that doesn’t necessarily mean there are no ongoing working issues, contradictions and discussions.” In Shirinyan’s view, problems will come with Armenia’s bid to return Nakhijevan. (Shirinyan believes Russia illegally gifted Nakhijevan to Azerbaijan and will be reluctant to discussions about returning the territory).

“We have no state and legal issue with Azerbaijan [about Nakhijevan]. Somebody has taken your money from your pocket and handed to another. Russia should not create problems since we should demand what belonged to us and taken from us illegally and given to their Turkish friends without even asking us,” Shirinyan concluded.