ArmInfo.The recognition by the United States of the fact of the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey will not change anything in the Armenian-Turkish relations. Alexander Skakov, head of the Caucasus and Central Asia working group at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, expressed his opinion to ArmInfo.
"Today, the trends in favor of such a recognition of the fact of the genocide by US President Joe Biden on April 24 are really visible. Judging by the mood in Washington, the current level and content of Turkish-American and Russian-American relations, such recognition can take place. At the same time, I am convinced that Yerevan and Washington are not actively working in this direction today. Accordingly, if recognized, it will be determined solely by the American agenda and interests, " he is convinced.
In this light, the Russian expert is inclined to expect recognition of the genocide at the level of the US president in order to point Turkey to its place. In Skakov's view, this would be consistent with the Biden administration's behavioral line. First of all, because of Ankara's too independent and bold regional policy, and in cooperation with Russia. In this context, Skakov also stressed the problems created by Turkey in the East for the United States.
When he was a Senator, Joe Biden officially declared his support for the 106th resolution of the House of Representatives on the Armenian Genocide. The resolution proposes to oblige the US President to use the definition of "genocide" every year in his address on April 24. Biden also supported the adoption of resolutions on the Armenian Genocide in 2019 by the US House of Representatives and the US Senate, promising to recognize the Armenian Genocide if he is elected president. The Russian expert considers the unification of many congressmen, both from the Republican and Democratic Parties, around this agenda to be an important incentive in the direction of recognition. This exceptional phenomenon, coupled with the congressmen's letter to Biden, in Skakov's opinion, gives this prospect additional chances, up to the decisive factor.
At the same time, the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the United States, according to his forecasts, in general, will be a symbolic step that will only further complicate relations between Washington and Ankara. Especially given the extremely painful way in which Ankara considers this problem. And, of course, Turkey's hopes for overcoming this historical problem. In this light, by recognizing the genocide, the United States will demonstrate to Turkey its own ability to influence and interfere in the events in the region.
"This will change practically nothing in the Armenian-Turkish agenda and in the relations. First of all, in the light of the mood in the region that is already changing after the next Karabakh war. First of all, due to the fact that the current state, especially the prospects of relations between Armenia and Turkey today are determined by completely different circumstances. First of all, they are interrelated with the Karabakh issue, " the Russian expert concluded.