Following the visit of the Russian FM Sergey Lavrov to Armenia political scientist Richard Giragossian has come to a conclusion that Armenia is gaining more strategic weight. According to Giragossian, Russia is concerned with Armenia’s military and strategic active relations with the West. He believes that the Kremlin will not ignore the military trainings with the participation of Armenia planned for this month. “The more active Armenia is with the West, the more it can expect from the East. Russia is like Turkey. Russia respects Armenia when Armenia is strong,” according to A1+ said Richard Giragossian. He believes that Putin’s Russia will try to press on Armenia in relation to the conflict of Nagorno Karabakh. “Fortunately Putin’s efforts connected with Karabakh will not be success because the new president of Russia has tense relations with Armenia’s leadership,” said Giragossian. The political scientist says that Moscow is trying to develop closer relations with Baku, meanwhile acknowledging the fact that its closest partner in South Caucasus is Armenia. It is not by chance that many experts from Russia are suggesting to build a new radio location station in Armenia instead of Azerbaijan’s expensive one. “Prime-minister Tigran Sargsyan did the right thing announcing that Armenia is ready to discuss any proposal connected with this issue,” said Richard Giragossian. Mr. Giragossian also warns that the existing geopolitical capital can be used and even increased by Armenia only in case of organizing fair elections in May.
