Political analyst: Moscow losing patience with Armenia`s "diplomatic  acrobatics"

ArmInfo.Moscow is tired of the acrobatics, empty words, and everyday tricks of the Armenian leadership. This is how Stanford University professor Artur Khachikyan commented on Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei  Overchuk's statements  in an interview with  TASS.

He noted that the interview appeared the day after Armenian Prime  Minister Nikol Pashinyan's visit to Moscow and very clearly,  thoroughly, and factually clarifies Russia's position on the latest  political tricks of the Armenian leadership. "To summarize this  rather lengthy and serious interview, one can say this:  Moscow is  tired of the acrobatics, empty words, and everyday tricks of the  Armenian leadership. For years, Armenia has been warned that it won't  be able to sit on two chairs, that anti-Russian policies and  rapprochement with Russia's enemies cannot go unnoticed in Moscow.  Now these warnings have become more firm and specific. Moscow's  patience is running out-that's how Overchuk's interview can be summed  up in one sentence. "Armenia has come very close to the point after  which Russia will have to restructure its economic relations with it.  This is a very clear and precise warning," the Armenian expert  asserts.

According to the analyst, several strategic sectors are currently  serving as flashpoints for Moscow's irritation. One of the main  issues received with obvious irritation was the targeted attack on  Russian business interests in Armenia. Khachikyan noted that this  includes railways, the nuclear power plant, and the confiscation of  Russian businesses. And this will provoke a reaction from Moscow,  which will impact Armenian businesses in Russia. "The issue of  selling the Russian railway concession to Armenia was discussed in  detail. At the instigation of his foreign masters, the Armenian  leader is attempting to sell the Russian concession to a third  country, citing the silly pretext that foreign businesses don't want  to deal with Russian ones. In reality, as Overchuk asserts, it was  the Russian side that could have ensured the unblocking of  communications and the restoration of railways (incidentally, at the  request of the same Armenian side), while guaranteeing Armenia's full  sovereignty and property rights on its territory. This would have  been 100%, not 26%. But, as is his custom, the leader of this group  first asked Russia for help and then submitted again to his foreign  masters," Khachikyan recalled.

The political scientist added that Russia reminded these authorities  that the agreement concluded by Pashinyan would bring little benefit  to Armenia. The main cargo flow will go directly from Azerbaijan to  Turkey, leaving Armenia to collect only its 26% fees where it could  have received 100%. Due to the shallowing of the Caspian Sea and  instability in the Middle East, cargo flow through the "middle  corridor" will likely flow through Russia. So what's the point of  excluding Russia from the project? Involving the United States in the  Zangezur Corridor project creates additional risks for Armenia and  the entire region, especially in the context of the war with Iran.  "The Armenian leadership has been persuaded to abandon the Russian  nuclear power plant modernization project and build a new one.  Instead, they are proposing to build American modular plants, which  have failed in America itself. The importance of the Eurasian  Economic Union and the Russian market for Armenia was once again  emphasized. Exports to the Eurasian Economic Union have increased  12.5-fold in recent years, compared to 1.5-fold in Europe and  2.2-fold in the United States. It was previously stated that Armenia  pays $177 per thousand cubic meters of gas, while the world price is  over $600, which is more than three times higher. All this clearly  demonstrates that the Armenian leadership is acting under the  dictates of foreign masters, not in the interests of the Armenian  people.

The interview was very lengthy, but the main point is clear: our  partners' patience has run out, as the divine Barbara Brylska,  residing at 3rd Stroiteley Street, Building 25, Apartment 12, used to  say," Khachikyan concluded.