Friday, February 4 2022 14:23

ArmInfo. Russia will remain in Nagorno-Karabakh as long as Armenians live there, the military expert Vladimir Yevseyev of the Institute of CIS Countries told ArmInfo. 

"We realize that the prospects of our presence in Nagorno-Karabakh  are primarily dependent on the Armenian population remaining in that  republic. In this context, of importance for Russia is the Karabakh  Armenians' desire to stay at their homes rather than Baku's opinion.  And if they want to continue living in their homeland, our  peacekeepers will remain in Karabakh. And Baku will not be able to  force them to leave," he said.  

As regards a possible Azerbaijani attack on Armenia's borders in the  context of the geopolitical developments and prospects, the expert  considers it unlikely in view of Russia strengthening its positions  in the post-Soviet space. In commenting on Moscow's recent  determination to defend its interests, he stressed that Armenia, but  not Azerbaijan, is Russia's ally in the South Caucasus.  

"I do not think Azerbaijan would resort to another large-scale  military provocation, especially amid Russia gradually toughening its  stance. I think this acting as a check on Baku even now, and Baku  should be prepared for that as early as tomorrow. Possible  hostilities in Donbass will not catalyze an Azerbaijani attack  against Karabakh or Armenia either - for the simple reason that the  result of a possible war is obvious, a crushing defeat of Ukraine's  army," Mr Yevseyev said.

Asked about a possible legal status for the unrecognized Republic of  Artsakh, the Russian expert believes it is an issue of a future  agenda. For the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh's status to be high on the  agenda again Armenia's armed forces need to be efficient and  battleworthy again.  

"Under favorable consequences they will need about three years for  that. I mean a level that would enable the Armenian army to ensure a  balance of forces in the region the 44-day war shifted in  Azerbaijan's favor.  In this context, the only possibility is now to  postpone the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh's status to better times, to  be precise, until the regional balance of forces is restored," Mr  Yevseyev said.