Wednesday, June 7 2023 09:59

ArmInfo. Russian political expert Sergey Markedonov has analyzed the intricacies of alliance  between Moscow and Yerevan, as well as other actors. 

He referred to Armenia's Premier Nikol Pashinyan who, in an interview  with CNN Prima News, stated that Yerevan does not fully share  Moscow's point of view on the situation round Ukraine. "Of course,  this was never said out loud, but I think it is visible. We are not  Russia's ally in the war with Ukraine. And our feeling from that war,  from that conflict, is anxiety because it directly affects all our  relationships," Armenia's premier said. 

"No grounds are available to claim that in making that statement  Pashinyan was theorizing about research of international relations.  However, nolens volens Armenia's premier suggested interesting  speculations to experts. So Russia's ally does not fully agree with  its approaches to one of its key foreign-policy aspects," Mr  Markedonov said. 

In this context, he puts a rhetorical question: is Yerevan the only  one holding this opinion? In this vein, Mr Markedonov recalls that in  all the official documents approved since last February Azerbaijan  has been designated as Russia's ally.  "But that did not prevent  President Ilham Aliyev from saying something and holding a private  meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines  of the second meeting of the European Political Community in  Chisinau, June 1, 2023. Azerbaijan has appointed a new ambassador to  Kiev. The work is 'on schedule.' As to Ukraine's territorial  integrity, Baku both did and does unconditionally recognize it," Mr  Markedonov said. 

The other members of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and  Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), except for Belarus,  are pursuing similar policies. "Speaking at the plenary meeting of  the 25th International Economic Forum in Saint Petersburg, June 17,  2022, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated he would not  recognize 'quasi-states' - the Donetsk People's Republic and the  Luhansk People's Republic.  According to him, Astana is against  'chaos' that could break out if all peoples realize their right to  self-determination. So Kazakhstan does not recognizes Taiwan, Kosovo,  Abkhazia, or South Ossetia," Mr Markedonov said. 

"And even beyond the post-Soviet space, 'Russian truth' has not yet  been absolutely accepted by either India, China, Iran or Turkey,  despite their, to put it mildly, extremely negative attitude to the  U.S. (Western) hegemonism. Only recently, Indian Premier Narendra  Modi had a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on  the sidelines of the G7 summit for the first time since Russia  launched its special military operation in Ukraine. However, things  are far from being crystal clear. Turkey has the second largest army  in NATO after the USA while it seeks to join anti-Russian sanctions.   On the other hand, it is implementing 'peaceful atom' and gas hub  projects jointly with Moscow. Plus the disagreements between  Washington and Ankara over Syria, Iraq, and Lybia. Quite the list!  Moreover, the USA's allies - Turkey and Israel - have disagreements,  with Gulf countries having theirs as well," Mr Markedonov said. 

In conclusion, Mr Markedonov pointed out that alliance is community  of interests, but love. "And in case of risk of getting into  another's game without benefits, allies prefer 'making a pause' and  'focusing'. And it has been and will ever be the practice. Did  consensus exist between the antihitlerite nations over Poland, the  Balkans, the Pyrenees? A rhetorical question. And an expert's task is  understanding the international political realities (when cynicism  and seeking political advantage crowd out many other things) instead  of moralizing and rolling up his eyes in surprise," Mr Markedonov  said.