Russian diplomat: For Western countries, the South Caucasus is  nothing more than a potential "pain point" for Russia

ArmInfo. Russia's interests in the South Caucasus are unwavering, and Moscow's primary goal is to maintain a zone of stability and prosperity there, so that  it can work with the region's countries to unlock its potential and  strengthen good-neighborly relations, as stated by Mikhail Kalugin,  Director of the Fourth Department of the CIS Countries at the Russian  Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to RIA Novosti.

According to him, Russia's fundamental interest lies in peace and  development in the Caucasus, aiming to prevent any descent  into  chaos. "I emphasize that Russia is not simply a neighbor of the South  Caucasus.  Russia itself is a Caucasian power. We are united with the  peoples on the southern side of the mountain range by centuries-old  friendship, glorious chapters of shared history, civilizational  closeness, and millions of family and kinship ties. For a long time,  we lived as part of a single state. At one time, rapprochement with  Russia allowed the peoples of the region to preserve their identity.  The formation of the state foundations of the South Caucasus  republics took place during the Soviet era. I am absolutely convinced  that our unique relationship is unaffected by time and external  pressure," he noted.

The diplomat added that events in the region have always directly  affected Russia, its interests in foreign and domestic security, and  the economy. "And that's precisely why Westerners, as part of the  'game without rules' they've begun, have stepped up their destructive  efforts. They're trying to stir up the South Caucasus, drive wedges  into relations between the region's states and Russia, and drive us  apart. This is a policy of division, not creation. After all, for  many Western countries, the South Caucasus is nothing more than a  potential 'pain point' for Russia. The main goal is to harm our  country, at the expense of other countries' interests, and to draw  yet another region into anti-Russian designs," he continued.

As the most recent example, Kalugin cited the call by EU High  Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas  for Armenia to join the anti-Russian "sanctions coalition." According  to him, this means the EU official has essentially made a confession,  revealing Brussels' aggressive and divisive agenda. The diplomat  acknowledged that, despite  this, the overwhelming majority of  countries in the region are demonstrating political foresight in this  regard, prioritizing their own, well-recognized interests.

When asked about Moscow's vision for the optimal format of  interaction in the region, Kalugin stated that Russia is promoting  the principle of "regional solutions to regional issues" in the South  Caucasus. "The work of the 3+3 Regional Cooperation Platform  (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, plus Russia, Iran, and Turkey) is  built around this formula. This concept, proposed by Azerbaijani  partners, was approved, particularly, at the 3+3 Foreign Ministers'  Meeting in Tehran in October 2023.

This format holds significant potential. Three meetings of the  platform have already taken place. The final communique of the most  recent ministerial meeting in Istanbul in October 2024 highlighted  the constructive role of regional interaction in strengthening trust,  prosperity, and cooperation, which creates opportunities for economic  and trade development by resolving disputes. It was agreed to  initiate cooperation in transport, energy, culture, and addressing  new challenges and threats. We hope to receive an agreed-upon  schedule for the upcoming meetings of the foreign ministers from Baku  and Yerevan as soon as possible," the diplomat added.

Touching on cooperation between Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia in  the region, Kalugin emphasized that Russia's stance on the trilateral  cooperation format in the South Caucasus is well known and has not  changed. He stated that Moscow continues to support the establishment  of a lasting peace between Baku and Yerevan based on the trilateral  high-level agreements reached in 2020-2022. In this regard, he  reiterated that the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia have  agreed on a roadmap covering all key areas: developing a peace  treaty, unblocking transport and economic ties in the region,  delimiting and demarcating the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, and  developing public dialogue between the two countries.  All of these  tracks are interconnected, and progressive progress on each allows  for overall results.

 "Today, Baku and Yerevan are conducting a predominantly direct  dialogue, without intermediaries. The foreign ministers of both  republics have initialed the text of an agreement on  establishing  peace and interstate relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.  Considering the contribution of the Russian side and Russian  President Vladimir Putin personally to the process of  Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization, we are pleased  to offer our  platform to our partners to sign the final document," Kalugin said.

Speaking about the Trump Route project, he noted that Russia,  Azerbaijan, and Armenia were able to reach several mutually  acceptable solutions in 2021-2023 through a trilateral working group  co-chaired by deputy prime ministers on unblocking communications in  the region. According to him, these agreements are still relevant  today. He added that their relevance is recognized in both Baku and  Yerevan, particularly concerning  the Trump Route - a transit route  from the territory of "mainland" Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan through  southern Armenia. "The details of the Armenian-American project  remain to be studied. We are ready to consult with our Armenian  partners to discuss the initiative's parameters and potential Russian  involvement. There are ample grounds for this. 

Essentially, what we have  is a section of the route agreed upon  within the Trilateral Working Group. Our company, South Caucasus  Railways, a subsidiary of Russian Railways, holds a concession to  operate Armenia's railway network. The region uses Russian railway  tracks. The "route" will mainly traverse the territory overseen by  our border guards. Additionally, Armenia's membership in the Eurasian  Economic Union (EAEU) is a factor to consider. It's clear that our  partners cannot manage without Russia," the diplomat concluded.