Amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan expressed concerns about relying on Moscow for security guarantees, Politico reports.
He criticized Russia's inability to maintain peace in the Caucasus and the changing dynamics caused by the Ukraine conflict. Pashinyan emphasized the need for Armenia to reduce its dependency on external actors and pursue an independent and sovereign path.
The ongoing conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, controlled by ethnic Armenians within Azerbaijan's borders, has raised questions about Russia's ability to ensure stability. Pashinyan highlighted the security challenges and humanitarian crisis caused by the closure of the Lachin Corridor, which Russian troops were supposed to safeguard.
“We want to have an independent country, a sovereign country, but we have to have ways to avoid ending up in the center of clashes between West and East, North and South … There cannot be a case when Armenia becomes a ‘proxy.’ This is not permissible,” - said the Prime Minister.
Despite his frustrations, Pashinyan recognized the potential role of Russian peacekeepers in preventing a worse situation. However, he voiced concerns about Moscow's influence in Armenia and cited recent disagreements between the two nations.
Pashinyan also stressed the importance of finding dependable protectors in light of Russia's evolving role. He mentioned Armenia's efforts to strengthen ties with the EU and the US while acknowledging the need for more comprehensive support.
The prime minister called for peaceful negotiations and efforts to settle relations with neighboring countries to ensure Armenia's lasting statehood. While Armenia aims to reduce its reliance on Russia, Pashinyan recognized that achieving full support from Western nations remained a work in progress.
The recent escalation of tensions along the Azerbaijani-Armenian border raised concerns, but Pashinyan expressed Armenia's readiness for peaceful dialogue to resolve longstanding conflicts.
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