ArmInfo. Chairman of Analytical Center for Globalization and Regional Cooperation Stepan Grigoryan considers that the Armenian society has polarized on the issue of Armenian-Russian relations.
"The government and about 80-90% of our population are on the one side stating about the necessity to continue cooperation with Russia but on the condition of equal partnership. And the second group involves MPs of the National Assembly, mostly Republicans, who are shouting that 1937-year of terror is back. This group is insignificant by its number and is telling Russia, that ''your slaves are under pressure here'' and asks for assistance. You may wonder why I mention this insignificant group but one should consider the economic and human resources this group has'', the political expert noted at a press conference on August 22 in Yerevan.
At the same time he noted that Lavrov and Putin are serious political figures on the international scale and this fact should be taken into account. According to Grigoryan both Lavrov and Putin respect Armenians but for 20 years they have worked with such Armenian politicians who were wheedling and caving in to, while now other Armenians came to power, young and demanding different attitude. "Russia will need time to adapt to this new reality, to digest the situation", the expert thinks.
At the same time Grigoryan is assured that Armenia should clarify to Russia its regional significance. According to him theoretically, if nowadays Armenia and Artsakh cease to exist Azerbaijani-Turkish tandem's positions will sharply strengthen which is not in Moscow's interests. "All this should be presented to Moscow, Armenia's role in the region should be clarified to Russian partners. Currently we have instruments that strengthen Armenia's role in the region", the political scientist summarized.