La Repubblica: Pashinyan reproaches Moscow

Armenia’s security dependence on Russia is a mistake. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this in an interview with the Italian newspaper La Repubblica.

“Armenia’s security architecture was 99.999% connected with Russia, including, in terms of weapons, the acquisition of weapons. But today, when Russia needs weapons and ammunition, it is clear that even if it wanted to, the Russian Federation would not be able to provide for Armenia’s security needs,” Pashinyan explained, quoted by Kommersant. According to the politician, “this example should show that in the field of security, dependence or attachment to only one center is in itself a strategic mistake.”

Pashinyan added that “Armenia has tasted the bitter fruits of this mistake” and is now trying to diversify its security policy. At the same time, Russia, according to the Prime Minister of Armenia, is moving away from him due to its actions or inaction in the South Caucasus. Its independent withdrawal from the region is observed “due to the steps that it takes or does not take,” Pashinyan added.

He also reproached Moscow for the fact that the Russian peacekeeping forces are not fulfilling their mission according to the tripartite statement of November 9, 2020, they do not control the Lachin corridor to Nagorno-Karabakh. According to him, Russia either cannot or does not want to maintain control over this corridor. Pashinyan called the situation problematic.

Recall that earlier Azerbaijan blocked the Lachin corridor – the only road linking Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, through which humanitarian supplies and fuel were delivered. The Russian Foreign Ministry called on Azerbaijan to unblock the road. In mid-August, the Armenian Foreign Ministry reported a shortage of water in Nagorno-Karabakh. Russian peacekeepers, who control the Lachin corridor, began transporting groups of people from Karabakh to Armenia in the summer.