The field of maneuver for Armenia in the context of the ongoing geopolitical crisis around Ukraine is gradually narrowing. This was stated by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, speaking today, May 31, at the annual “Armenian Democracy Forum” in Yerevan.
The head of government was asked about external threats to democracy in the Transcaucasian republic.
According to him, when the Russian-Ukrainian conflict began, Armenia tried to take a balanced position, including during various votings on international platforms. And such a position met with satisfaction from all partners, Pashinyan noted.
“But it is clear that over time, the field of maneuver for Armenia and everyone else is narrowing. This is a very serious challenge and problem for everyone, especially for Armenia, given its vulnerability,” the prime minister stressed.
Turning again to the issue of relations with the allies in the Collective Security Treaty Organization, Pashinyan recalled that when on May 10, 2021 he announced his resignation from the post of head of government (for early elections. — Ord.), and the parliament was dissolved, then two days later, on May 12, there was a well-known invasion of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces into the territory of Armenia, and the reaction from the CSTO was “zero”.
Russia expects initiative steps from its Armenian partners to resume substantive work with the aim of deploying a CSTO mission on the territory of the Transcaucasian republic. This, as reported EADailyofficial representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maria Zakharova said on May 10 during a briefing for journalists. Public criticism of the CSTO by official Yerevan is counterproductive, the Russian Foreign Ministry noted at the time.
Recall that the situation on the eastern border of Armenia escalated after the territory around Nagorno-Karabakh fell under the control of Azerbaijan as a result of the 44-day war in the fall of 2020. A series of incidents took place in the border regions of Gegharkunik, Vaoyts Dzor and Syunik. So, on May 12, 2021, Azerbaijani troops invaded deep into Armenian territory in separate areas – Sotk in Gegharkunik and Sev Lich (Khoznavar village) in Syunik. The next advancement of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces deep into the Armenian territory, in certain directions in the Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor and Syunik regions, took place on September 13-14, 2022. As a result, according to officials in Yerevan, the Azerbaijani side occupied about 150 sq. km of the territory of the Transcaucasian member of the CSTO.
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2023-05-31 08:46:00
