Forecast: By cooperating with the Russian Federation in resolving the  Armenian-Azerbaijani problems, Macron may increase his role in the  South Caucasus

ArmInfo.In my opinion, Russia can agree to the deployment of Russian border guards on the border with Azerbaijan, but only taking into account the position of  Azerbaijan. A similar opinion was expressed to ArmInfo by Fyodor  Lukyanov, editor-in-chief of the Russia in Global Affairs magazine,  director for scientific work of the Foundation for Development and  Support of the Valdai International Discussion Club.

"We understand that Moscow cannot simply ignore the request of  Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Armenia is our important  ally, including the military one. On the other hand, all this  generates certain contradictions, since Moscow cannot neglect Baku's  position on this issue either. And this position, of course, should  be taken into account. In particular, in the context of Russian  policy towards building a new balance of forces in the South  Caucasus, "he stressed.

In this light, Lukyanov noted that, despite the constant process of  strengthening strategic allied relations between Baku and Ankara,  Moscow continues to attach a high degree of importance to relations  with Baku.  Moscow, according to his forecasts, can meet the  proposals of Prime Minister Pashinyan, at least following the results  of negotiations not only with Yerevan, but also with Baku.

On August 4, the Armenian Defense Ministry announced the deployment  of Russian border guards in the Voskepar community of the Tavush  region of the country. "Russian border guards are stationed in the  specified area, and construction work is being carried out with the  aim of building logistic support structures. This process is carried  out within the framework of the Armenian-Russian military  cooperation," the Ministry of Defense said.

Commenting on the possibility of coordinating actions towards  ensuring the security of Armenia between Russia and France, the  analyst noted that the accents placed by Paris demonstrate the  existence of a certain consensus with Moscow on ways to resolve the  current situation on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In  his opinion, cooperation in this direction is quite possible.  In  light of such prospects, the analyst recalled the start of a new  stage in Russian-French relations and in French foreign policy, in  general, after the Putin-Macron meeting two years ago. According to  him, in cooperation with Moscow, Paris began to pursue a more  independent policy, regardless of the collective West, NATO and even  the situation around Ukraine. And by cooperating with Moscow in  resolving the Armenian-Azerbaijani problems, Macron may well increase  his own role in the South Caucasus. At the same time, by no means to  the detriment of Russian influence, since at this stage France and  Russia in the region do not interfere with each other.

"For Russia, this is a fairly good and quite convenient option for  cooperation in the South Caucasus. Taking into account our relations  with Turkey and other neighboring countries and France's positioning  in this conflict. Russia's policy develops and naturally, among the  co-chairing countries it is more convenient for Russia to work with  France. The Russian Federation and France have common interests,  including in the South Caucasus, and Paris, unlike Washington and  Brussels, does not have a markedly anti-Russian position. All this  opens up very good prospects for Russia and France's ooperation in  the South Caucasus ", - summed up Lukyanov.