YEREVAN—Azerbaijan and Turkey have launched a series of joint military exercises just weeks after a failed Azeri assault on Armenian positions in Tavush. The exercises are expected to last two weeks and take place in the Azeri-controlled exclave of Nakhichevan, central Azerbaijan and on the Absheron Peninsula.
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One interpretation of current events is that Russia is largely standing aside in the current conflict because it wants to show Armenia that if it does not march in lock-step to what Russia wants, Russia will ignore its obligations under the mutual defense treaty.
Russia may wish to reconsider that tactic because all it goes to prove is that Russia is as unreliable as we always thought.
For example, Russia gave Artsakh and Nakhichevan to Azerbaijan, handed off huge chunks of Western Armenia to Turkey, and had gotten chummy with Armenia’s genocidal enemies, Turkey and Azerbaijan.
I believe Russia’s goal is the reassertion of control of the former SSRs. It will not go to war for Armenia. I believe it will allow, if not encourage, instability and threats in the region as Russia benefits in the long run. By standing on the sidelines during the Azeri-Turk escalation of regional tensions, it quietly delivers the message do what Mother Russia wants or stand on your own.
I think you’re correct in your analysis- Russia has always preferred Turkic peoples over Armenians and has always harmed Armenia to appease Turks. I would even go one step further to say that Russia has never helped us per se, regardless of if we follow its orders or not. Russia has never wanted a strong Armenia, which is why it constantly sells weapons to Azerbaijan and then ironically claims to be an ally of Armenia. Could you imagine America selling weapons to Israel’s enemies ?
Russia also said it was the protector of Syria but there are thousands of Turkish soldiers in Syria and the Turks have built a buffer strip on Syrian land. I wouldn’t be surprised if Putin told Aliev to attack Armenia so that Armenia would run to him for protection and the ex-KGB man would say he would protect Armenia if we became a vassal of Kremlin.
Russia, through its satellites and other means, knows the aggressor in the recent fighting was Azerbaijan. Yet it didn’t condemn Baku. It has also refused to say it would help Armenia if the Azeris are the aggressor although the Armenia/Russia pact states Russia would support us if we are attacked. What kind of ally is Russia?
The Bolsheviks gave these lands to the turks
Russia has liberated Eastern Armenians and now Armenians enjoy the 98% of the population
Russia proctected Armenia in !993 against the the a turkish possible invasion
stop ignoring the real ally
5%
“the real ally” Russia who sells weapons to Azerbaijan and calls on both sides to de-escalate the conflict when Azerbaijan was the one who initiated it.
Search up Operation Ring to see how Russia “protected” Armenia in the NK War
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Ring
Greg, you need a better history/politics tutor. That was the Soviet Union, not Russia. Two different animals,even if they spoke the same language.
@ Greg
you are like other stubborn Armenians still confusing communists with Russia
Turkey is is still surviving as an entity because of western military support
remember who protected turkey in the 1947 from carving Kars Ardahan to Armenia and part to Georgia
remember who threatened turkey in 1993 with nukes to protect Armenia and let Armenia to focus its limited resources on the Karabakh war
because of Russia we managed to liberate parts of Eastern Armenia and enjoy 98% of the population.
remember who gave Kilikia to your enemies, your beloved france
Russia sells weapons to azeris with market prices but selling you the Iskander missiles(no other country has it) and Su 30 with domestic prices.
no wonder Armenians have such a miserable history in spite of their bravery,
because of the lack of strategic foresightedness the vast majority of Armenians have
Concerned Armenian, firstly, attack the message and not the messenger. Notice how I never got personal with Hagop and did not say what he needs nor try to belittle him.
Both the Soviet Union and Russia have done more harm than good for Armenia.
Are you concerned about Russia selling weapons to Azerbaijan whilst calling itself an ally of Armenia ?
Greg, nice try. I am actually happy Russia is selling weapons to Azerbaijan. I don’t expect you to understand why, nor do I feel like explaining…
Greg,
Putin protecting Axeri oil line from Armenian side. Russian gazprom has huge share with those pipelines…they want to squeeze Axeri dictator, Turkish sultan, and Israel for more money and Putin will do that with the help of Armenian army… especially after Tavush border skirmishes! Unfortunately we have no other choices we need peace and stabilities in our side. A Time will come when God will be our side…for now we need strong army and UNITY and know how to play politics with Putin and West. Pashinyan is doing good job with Putin. Chess game, so far Armenians are fine with those games!
“ you are like other stubborn Armenians“ – why resort to personal attacks ? I’m sure we can discuss this matter in a civil manner. I never made a personal remark about you Hagop, care to return the favour ? Like the Ottoman Empire and Turkey are similar in their foreign policy so are the Soviet Union and Russia. What I’m saying is that Russia is not the great saviour of Armenians and would readily sell us down the river. Just read this article in asbarez to see how Russia asked for a statue of General Andranik Ozanian to be taken down as it might anger Turkey:
http://asbarez.com/96312/community-ordered-to-take-down-gen-antranig-statue-in-sochi/
I am not interested in making things personal Greg because, I have things to say.
-you jumped over the fact, who protected turkey in 1947 and still does,and who sold Kilikia down the stream and who protected Armenia 1n 1993 and still plus arming.
– you simplified the comparison between Russia,soviets vs turkey, ottoman empire,Tsarist Russia had the motive to resurrect Armenia in the region because of its interest and still does and will for the foreseeable future as long as there is turkick islamic threats. if no Armenia, Russia will suffer, not the west, and no need to mention turkey’s stance
-you forgot the Iskander missile(no other country has outside Russia)for example and mentioned the statue and made your judgment on it and not on the arms and the base which keeps the turks at bay,with all respect to our heroes ,(I woud add that Russia has +15m muslim citizens with turkick affiliations what if they started to demand a statue for e.g. (enver).
why don’t you remember the apology of western governments after parliament decisions regarding Armenian Genocide and freedom of speech when turks deny it, and make your judgement upon it.
I don’t know why this issue is confusing for some Armenians.
Without Russia’s backing Armenia would be under threat of an imminent simultaneous attack by the turks and azeris. And the west would do nothing except show insincere sympathy and impotently call on the turks to halt the attack (after half of Armenia is destroyed and Artaskh is lost). The Russians are not perfect but they do keep the status quo in the region. Armenians have to strengthen efforts by improving the nation from within, with education, combating corruption, and keeping to our faith.