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Russian analyst Sergey Markedonov, a senior research fellow at Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), has called for substantive dialogue between Armenia and Russia amid strained relations.

“Armenian-Russian relations have probably hit rock bottom and are in crisis,” he told a forum in Yerevan on Wednesday.

The analyst pointed to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's claims that the CSTO, a Moscow-led security bloc, “poses threats to Armenia’s security and sovereignty”.

“There are different possible options here. You can finally sever bilateral ties saying they are no longer effective, or you can choose another option. I think all is not lost yet, politicians come and go, but relations should be maintained,” Markedonov said.

“In order to handle this crisis, I think we need to answer two questions: what is Russia's role for Armenia and what is Armenia's role for Russia? Just keeping silent and sitting back won’t fill the bill. Because if we keep silent, others will speak for us. I have big doubts that it will be in our interests. That is why there is no need to engage in toast diplomacy,” he emphasized.