May 7, 2008 - 18:11 AMT
Moscow doesn't view Karabakh as tool of pressure on Azerbaijan
Presently, the Russia is not deciding "to be or not to be" in the South Caucasus, chairman of Mitq analytical center, historian Eduard Abrahamyan said in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net.

"Moscow has been trying to strengthen its influence in the region so far. The point is that Russia has two tools of pressure in Georgia and none in Azerbaijan. It's quite obvious that the Kremlin has for a long time Karabakh as a pressing factor. Now, due to Artsakh's complete isolation from Azerbaijan, the situation has changed," he said.

"Possibly, national tensions in north of Azerbaijan and Baku's aggressive policy toward Dagestani-speaking population can offer Moscow a chance for creating an alternative factor.

However, Russia's unawareness of mentality and capabilities of North Caucasus nations often resulted in paralyzing of ethnic problems. This problem may be viewed as omission by Armenia, which in the course of 15 years made no effort to convince Moscow of its determination to finally resolve the "Azeri issue". Today, in the light of the U.S.-Turkey tensions, some Russian forces speak out for stabilization of relations with Ankara," he said.

  • Full text of the interview