ArmInfo. Russia's principal weapon in Armenia is the incumbent premier, Nikol Pashinyan. All the others are nothing but playthings, expert in Azerbaijani studies Tatevik Hayrapetyan believes.
"I am surprised our public has been deceived by the erroneous argument that Pashinyan is in conflict with Moscow or that Moscow wants him to be removed. After 2018, many claimed Moscow disliked Pashinyan and sought to have him removed from power, alleging it to be the cause of the 2020 war. However, the war only strengthened Russia's influence, with Nagorno-Karabakh becoming dependent on Russia as never before," Ms Hayrapetyan said.
Moscow, which "dislikes" Pashinyan openly supported him prior to the 2021 election. "The reason? Because the film has not ended yet. Pashinyan is taking false allegedly anti-Russian steps, criticizing the peacekeepers. I response, Russia sanctions a new attack on Artsakh while blaming Pashinyan for all that, with Pashinyan washing his hands of Artsakh, leaving the Armenian population there in a difficult situation," Ms Hayrapetyan said.
The very same "anti-Russian" Pashinyan, a few hours before the session of the U.S. Security Council, stated that there was no threat of ethnic cleansing in Artsakh thereby rendering a service to Russia and, of course, to Azerbaijan and Turkey. "The result is that any international intervention is unrealistic as the head of state says 'it is all right, do not interfere'. That is one more episode of Pashinyan's 'pro-Western orientation,'" Ms Hayrapetyan said.
Syunik is next in turn. "That is why Margarita Simonyan and others of her ilk, who are disliked in Armenia, are saying, 'take to the streets!' As a result, sensible people are unwilling to act as pro-Russian instruments, even in Pashinyan's case. Persons perceived as pro-Russian ones appear in the arena, and people are unwilling to follow them. As a result, Pashinyan is left with something," Ms Hayrapetyan said.
The same scenario is unfolding once again: Pashinyan's anti-Russian statements, war and losses. The result Russia is strengthening its positions. "Whenever people want to remove Pashinyan, the authorities cry out: 'Do you want to have Russians here?' The answer is: 'No, of course not!' They have betrayed us, haven't they?' Russia's principal weapon in Armenia is Nikol Pashinyan. All the others are nothing but playthings," Ms Hayrapetyan said.
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