Threat of Resumption of Hostilities in Karabakh Quite Real

Security issues should always be treated seriously. Taking into account the complexity of the Nagorno Karabakh problem security is the main task of the state and the major responsibility of the President and government. Only via military balance it's possible to preserve political settlement. The threat of an armed conflict and resumption of hostilities is quite real.

Keeping the situation within a political settlement is possible only via balance of military potentials. Domination of military force of one of the parties can result in a new bloodshed.

The Russian leadership lacks a precise strategy on the South Caucasus. In relations with Azerbaijan and Armenia Russia abides by the balance of friendly interaction. This line helps to maintain peace in Karabakh.

Russia, in the person of the reasonable part of its leadership, is trying to maintain its presence and influence in the Caucasus. It's important for Russia to prevent destabilization in the North Caucasus, deployment of NATO military bases and projection of military force inland.

In my opinion, Armenia is Russia's monument point in the South Caucasus. At the same time it is vitally important for Armenia to have allied relations with Russia. If Armenia relies on promises made by the West it will lose its state system and independence.

Armenia has the right to establish relations with whom it wishes. But if it conflicts with Russia's interests Moscow can transform cooperation into the level of mutually beneficial relations without any political or economic preferences. However such situation will conflict with Armenia's national interests and will result in the isolation of the republic and even in its collapse.

A large Armenian Diaspora lives in Russia. "I think it could make a great contribution to the development of the Russian-Armenian allied relations.