ArmInfo.After documenting the results of the 44-day war, during the entire post-war period, Moscow played a double game within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group. Ruben Mehrabyan - expert at the Armenian Institute of International and Security Affairs (AIISA) expressed a similar opinion to ArmInfo.
"In other words, Russia has acted and is acting within the framework of the MG, but, at the same time, it tries to bypass it at the first available opportunity. And, no doubt, it will continue to operate within the framework of this logic in the future. Meanwhile, it is in this format, and no other, that the other two co- chairing countries unequivocally emphasize the need to continue the negotiation process to achieve a resolution of the issue of Artsakh's status, "he stressed.
Another diplomatic variation performed by Moscow, the expert considers periodic attempts to expropriate ideas and agreements within the framework of the Minsk Group in order to implement them on its own platforms. Among such steps by Moscow, Mehrabyan voiced the organization of a meeting between the leadrers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in St. Petersburg, and this is when co-chairs had already organized a similar meeting, with same composition and content in Vienna.
The expert emphasized that Russia had no interest in achieving a final, comprehensive settlement of the conflict around Artsakh, even if it is discussed on its own platform within the framework of its own agenda. First of all, because of the understanding and clear awareness of their own withdrawal from the region in the event of a final settlement of the conflict.
"So, Moscow clearly sees all these prospects, respectively, they are aware of the possible consequences. And as a result, they continue to implement the political line of the last decades. But we must do everything possible in order to create realities, create circumstances that will force Russia to find itself face to face with a new geopolitical reality. The whole issue today rests on this need, since this is what the national interests of Armenia require, "he stressed.
According to Mehrabyan's forecasts, in any case, Moscow will not be able to keep the situation in a state of controlled uncertainty indefinitely. Accordingly, sooner or later it will have to its own priorities in one direction or another. And the fact that Russia has already crossed all possible and impossible red lines in the region, primarily in relations with Armenia, according to his forecasts, only underlines the inevitability of such a scenario.
"What does Russia offer us today? Leave the issue of status in limbo for an indefinite future. It does not want to solve it, offering in return to do anything but determine the status. As a result, our prisoners of war are still in Azerbaijan, the roads are not open, and Aliyev encroaches on Armenian territory by shooting in Yeraskh. And we see that in response Russia prefers either to remain silent or to talk about "border incidents" caused by the absence of delimitation. We understand that all this cannot and will not last long, " Mehrabyan summed up.