Moscow`s intensified activities in South Caucasus its response to  West - Alexander Skakov

ArmInfo. Moscow's intensified activities in the South Caucasus is its response to the West's steps to isolate Russia, including in the South Caucasus, Alexander Skakov,  Deputy Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies, RF Academy of  Sciences, said in an interview with ArmInfo. 

"It is common knowledge that, especially after the war broke out in  Ukraine, the West has spared no effort to prevent the formation of  any regional cooperation formats involving Russia. And given the  sactions, including diplomatic sanctions, aimed at isolating Russia  Moscow needs - as never before - to intensify its policy in the  Caucasus as well," he said. 

In such critical conditions Moscow is more active, and the 3+3 format  mentioned in the final communiqu‚ of the latest meetings between the  Russian and Armenian leaders in Moscow is evidence thereof. Under the  circumstances, all the regional formats - even those initiated by  Turkey - are of importance for Russia if it is directly involved. 

The major problem in implementing the 3+3 format is, according to Mr  Skakov, Georgia's unwillingness to participate because of Russia.  Tbilisi is thus "breaking the format" in the aforementioned West's  interests, which will by no means prevent Georgia's leadership from  showing restraint in dealing with Moscow over Ukraine. 

"In any case, Russia's special relations with Armenia and Azerbaijan  could well cause them to attempt to attract Georgia too to the 3+3 or  to other regional cooperation formats. And the 3+3 will be much more  efficient after the regional communications are unblocked, a rather  complicated, but feasible process, which, beyond doubt, has pretty  good prospects and is, by and large, in the interests of all the  participants," Mr Skakov said.