Serzh Sargsyan: Deployment of Russian Iskander systems in Armenia was a least-evil solution  

ArmInfo. The deployment of the Russian Iskander systems in the territory of Armenia was a least-evil solution aimed at maintaining the stability in the region, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan says in an interview with Rossiya Segodnya (Russia Today) director general Dmitry Kiselyov.    

"I think it was a least-evil solution to balance the military situation in our region. It is no secret that over the past few years Azerbaijan has been purchasing up-to-date arms. We lack the financial capacities of Azerbaijan, but we are constantly trying to balance the situation by looking for counterpoison. I think in this case Iskander systems were such counterpoison," Sargsyan says.  

He notes that arms race is certainly a bad trend, "but what else can you do if they threaten you with war and physical extermination every day. You should take relevant steps". 

He stresses that Yerevan and Moscow have an agreement on maintenance of the balance of forces in the region. "Russia has responded to our request and provided us with those systems. Of course, it would be good if the mankind had no such systems at all, but if you have to defend yourself, you take such decisions," he says.        

Sargsyan points out that Russia plays a key role in the Caucasus region. The matter inter alia concerns maintenance of peace and stability.