ArmInfo. New armed incidents have occurred in Nagorno- Karabakh. Stakes are getting higher. Although resenting ultimatums is not a new tactic here, it is obvious that risks are much higher when ultimatums are followed by use of force, Russian expert Sergey Markedonov, Leading Researcher of the Euro-Atlantic Security Center, Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), believes.
This location in the Caucasus is of special importance for Russia. "And calling it 'a key one' would not be an exaggeration. Retaining its role of the principal mediator [even amid the growing rivalry with the West and 'competitive partnership' with Turkey] enables Moscow to exert influence on both Armenia and Azerbaijan. Withdrawal of the Russian peacekeepers from Nagorno-Karabakh would naturally result in withdrawal of the Russian military base from Gyumri and Yerevan's reorientation to the West in fact rather than as a PR campaign, with Azerbaijan being, at least economically, thoroughly integrated into Western projects," Mr Markedonov said.
Some regard Russia's "equidistant" position as a scourge, while others consider it an importance resource. It is obviously both beneficial and restrictive in many respects for Moscow.
"But it would be wrong now to make a 'final choice' between Yerevan and Baku. Possible options are available, but they should be avoided. It is undesirable for us to suggest probable negative scenarios to our opponents. But these are, in fact, 'an open secret.' It should, however, be taken into account that losing influence on Armenia and Azerbaijan will halt the positive trends Russia is recording in Georgia. It is clear that Turkey's voice on all the platforms [not only in the Caucasus, but also in Syria and Ukraine] will be much louder. So it is important to rival for the 'Karabakh key' - with minimum losses and maximum benefits," Mr Markedonov said.
As to whether Armenian-Azerbaijani peace and regional order in the Transcaucasia could be established without Russia's involvement, the expert says that everything in possible in international politics.
"During some historical periods Russia, in its various forms, was not present in the Caucasus, or its presence was minimal. After all, the Balkan peace was established without Russia's special involvement. However, the threat of such absenteeism is not that the Kremlin's 'imperial ambitions' could suffer a blow.
Russia itself is a Caucasian power, which fact cannot be forgotten for a single moment. So Moscow feels especially responsible for the Caucasus. And another psychological moment should be mentioned: any nation has a special attitude to ensuring security along its borders with its immediate neighbors. The West will keep on acting as a potential peacemaker both in the Caucasus as a region far beyond its borders. And they are not noisy or rowdy - that's something at least! And it is up to Russia to go into details. Alas, we ourselves are both now and were in the past far from meeting this high standard though we are admitting a need to," Mr Markedonov said.