Putin’s return to presidency may negatively affect Karabakh settlement – expert

 October 27, 2011 - 14:06 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Vladimir Putin’s return to Russian presidency may negatively affect the course of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement, according to Regional Studies Center (RSC) director.

“As compared to Medvedev, Putin always kept his distance from conflicting parties. I don’t believe he’ll now be taking the same efforts to mediate the conflict between Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders,” Richard Giragosian told a news conference in Yerevan.

In this context, the expert positively assessed the results of Armenian president’s recent visit to Russia. “Though critical of Armenia–Russia ties, I cannot help to notice that this time, the parties focused on specific issues,” the expert said.

On October 23, President of RA Serzh Sargsyan embarked on a three-day state visit to Russia at his Russian counterpart's invitation. Meetings with President Dmitry Medvedev, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and other high-ranking officials were on Sargsyan’s visit agenda.