Caucasus (bbabo.net), - In an interview with Izvestia published today, March 29, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov shared his observations about the change in the political position of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan - from the time of his opposition activities to the current period of governing the republic .
Lavrov recalled that while in opposition, Nikol Pashinyan led the movement and the parliamentary faction of the same name “Elk” (“Exit”), “aimed” at Armenia’s withdrawal from the Collective Security Treaty Organization and the Eurasian Economic Union. This movement, according to Lavrov, had connections with the Soros Foundation*. Under this slogan, Pashinyan was able to mobilize the population to participate in protests in the spring of 2018, demanding elections of the Prime Minister (according to Nikol Pashinyan and his associates in the current ruling Civil Contract party, the slogan “Exit” was not associated with the withdrawal of Armenia from these integration associations in the post-Soviet space, and pursued the goal of leading the republic out of the internal political crisis and “systemic corruption” in which it was at the time of the “Velvet Revolution” in the spring of 2018. - Ed.).
“Under this slogan, he raised crowds in the streets, demanded the election of a prime minister, they have elections in parliament, and at the same time declared that if these elections end in him not being elected, he will raise the people. Well, in general, democracy in its highest manifestation,” Lavrov said.
After being elected Prime Minister, Pashinyan, the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry recalls, unequivocally supported Armenia’s participation in the CSTO and the EAEU, emphasizing their importance for economic development and preventing Armenia’s isolation in the South Caucasus.
“I remember very well that Vladimir Putin met with him several times and emphasized in every possible way that we would be guided not by some previous (experience), but by how specifically the Armenian leadership would build relations with the Russian Federation. In response, Nikol Pashinyan said that both the CSTO and the Eurasian Economic Union are structures that are fundamental for Armenia,” noted the head of Russian diplomacy.
He added that during this period, until the escalation of the conflict with Azerbaijan in 2020, Russia was actively involved in mediating and supporting the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
During the war between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the fall of 2020, Pashinyan turned to Russia for support, emphasizing the importance of Russia's allied relations and membership in the CSTO. In response, the Russian president made significant efforts, “working day and night to reach an agreement between the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to end hostilities,” Lavrov emphasized.
Important agreements were reached on border delimitation, restoration of economic ties, opening of transport routes and normalization of relations, including the need to sign a peace treaty, thanks to Russia's active role in these processes. At the same time, the European Union intensified its efforts to bring Armenia and Azerbaijan into its orbit of influence, which Pashinyan agreed with, preferring to work within the framework of the EU and the United States. As a result, this dealt a blow to meetings planned in Russia.
Lavrov, in this context, highlighted the key moment in October 2022, which occurred at the summit of the European Political Community in Prague. During the summit initiated by French President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan recognized Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan. The peculiarity of the situation was that Russia was not informed about this decision in advance, which caused surprise and questions about the actions of the Armenian side.
“When he himself signed that this territory is part of Azerbaijan, the question of status disappeared. And when people began to leave Karabakh, Nikol Pashinyan asked Vladimir Putin: “Vladimir Vladimirovich, why did you seem to abandon the Karabakh people to their fate?” Sorry for God’s sake, it was you who decided that they are not citizens or claim some kind of citizenship of Azerbaijan,” Lavrov said.
The head of the Russian Foreign Ministry further noted that he also communicated with Pashinyan when he went to various meetings in Yerevan, and it seemed to him that the head of the Armenian government still understood the benefits for the republic from continuing allied relations with the Russian Federation, from interaction within the CSTO, the EAEU .
Today, despite the historical and friendly ties between Armenia and Russia, there is a shift in the Armenian political discourse towards strengthening relations with the European Union, Lavrov states. This state of affairs causes concern in Russia, since, in his opinion, this does not correspond to the interests of the Armenian people and Russian-Armenian relations.
“That is, in essence, the circle is closing, and the Armenian leadership is beginning to express ideas similar to those with which Pashinyan formed his “Exit” movement,” the minister noted.
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