Deputy Director of the Center of Caucasian Researches of Moscow State Institute of Foreign Relations Vladimir Zakharov said that the political factor has always existed in the Armenian Genocide issue. “Unfortunately, the political factor is also observed in the Armenian-Turkish negotiations. The problem’s solution is not seen, as political games underlie it and not people’s memory,” Mr. Zakharov said during Historical Memory and Contemporary Reality Yerevan-Moscow space bridge dedicated to the 95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. He added that the massacre of Armenians in Azerbaijan from 1918-1920 is also genocide. “This chain ended with the events in Azerbaijani cities 20 years ago,” the expert said.

Commenting on the Armenian-Turkish normalization, Vladimir Zakharov stated that active actions will be observed from all sides after April 24 (the day of the Armenian Genocide commemoration.) “Most of all the U.S. is interested in the Armenian-Turkish relations and, most probably, Washington will succeed in its pressure on Turkey,” the expert said.