Armenia is situated in an extremely vulnerable spot of the Caucasus. It's surrounded by peoples and states that differently treat Armenia and Armenians, said Konstantin Zatulin, the director of the Institute of CIS Studies, member of the State Duma committee for CIS affairs. "First of all Armenia has not settled relations with Turkey that keeps on imposing blockade on the republic. Armenians throughout the globe struggle for recognition of the Armenian Genocide while Turkey tries to upset these efforts by any means. Armenian journalist Hrant Dinks, who pressed for the Genocide acknowledgement, was assassinated. While Turkey was preparing for the European Union, actual recognition of the Armenian Genocide was not only suppressed but also persecuted as a crime," Zatulin said.

He is convinced that Armenia's positions would have been weakened but for Russia's support. As a matter of fact Russia is the most important strategic guarantee for Armenia. "Over this very reason Armenia joined the CSTO, since it's vital for it. Armenia is the only Transcaucasian state engaged in military-political union with Russia. That is why Russia renders support to this republic. Russian military base is deployed in Armenia. The republic was supplied with anti-aircraft devices, including C-300, that Russia purveyed for its allies exclusively. At that, being vulnerable Armenia looks for opportunities to consolidate its international positions. It's natural that despite the Armenian-Russian relations Armenia simultaneously tries to build close relations with the U.S. and other European states," Zatulin said, reports Kremlin.org.