YEREVAN—Today marks the critical deadline for Armenia and Azerbaijan to sign the demarcation protocol for the Tavush region. According to the agreement reached on April 19 between the Armenia and Azerbaijan border delimitation commissions, the parties agreed to finalize a protocol by May 15. The initial phase of the process has seen preliminary agreements on specific sections of the border, including Baghanis-Baghanis Ayrum, Voskepar-Ashagh Askipara, Kirants-Kheirumli and Berkaber-Kyzyl Hajil. The agreement states that the demarcation process must comply with the inter-republican borders that existed at the time of the USSR’s dissolution.
The April 19 agreement states that detailed descriptions of these border sections, based on geodetic measurements, would be documented in a protocol to be signed by today. However, the demarcation process experienced a temporary freeze last week when discussions were moved to Yerevan due to ongoing protests by the “Tavush for the Homeland” movement. This movement, led by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, has held daily protests in Yerevan since May 9 after a march from Kirants in opposition to the handover of Armenian lands.
In Kirants, a border village in Tavush, border posts have been placed in the lowland areas. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan informed residents that the village would be divided and the bridge handed over to Azerbaijan. Residents of Kirants report that three border pillars remain to be installed. Today’s decisions will reveal whether the authorities will sign the protocol without dividing the village or proceed with placing the pillars in the middle, effectively splitting it.
The demarcation process has raised significant defense concerns. Former Deputy Head of the Defense Ministry Tiran Khachatryan has warned that the withdrawal of the Armenian Armed Forces from border areas could create a defense gap, making it easier for Azerbaijani forces to penetrate deeper into Armenian territory.
The “Tavush for the Homeland” movement has been actively protesting the planned land handover, with acts of civil disobedience staged throughout Yerevan since May 9. Today, the “Tavush for the Homeland” movement organized a march to Freedom Square, where PM Pashinyan participated in an event at the Spendiaryan National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet as part of the EBRD International Forum.
Following the announcement of demonstrations, a large police presence was sent to Freedom Square. To ensure PM Pashinyan’s entrance to the theater, movement and car traffic were restricted and police barriers were set up throughout the square. Several cafes in Freedom Square were also closed.
“I want to thank the police for closing the streets for you,” Archbishop Galstanyan said, referring to the roadblocks set up by protesters throughout the week on major highways, including the Armenia-Iran interstate highway and the Sevan-Yerevan highway. Hundreds of people have been detained throughout the protests, including at least 151 on May 13 and 63 on May 14.
During a massive rally on May 12 in Yerevan’s Republic Square, which was filled with tens of thousands of supporters, Archbishop Galstanyan articulated the movement’s stance, stating, “We are not opposed to peace, delimitation or demarcation. However, what is currently happening, with unilateral concessions forcing us to our knees, is unacceptable. There is no precedent for repeatedly giving in without guarantees against war, especially under the threat of force. We seek definitive peace, a peace that is worthy and lasting.”
During the May 9 rally, when the movement arrived in Yerevan, Archbishop Galstanyan demanded PM Pashinyan’s resignation, declaring, “Nikol Pashinyan, you have one hour to resign. I am ready to meet and discuss all conditions of departure. You no longer have any form of authority in the Republic of Armenia.”
The ruling Civil Contract party’s parliamentary faction responded swiftly, posting images on social media of Pashinyan with the caption, “Elected Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan.” Despite this, Archbishop Galstanyan vowed to compel Pashinyan’s resignation through a vote of no confidence in the National Assembly, engaging with all political factions.
According to the “Regulations of the National Assembly” law, initiating the impeachment process requires 36 signatures, one-third of the total number of deputies. The opposition presently has 35 MPs and needs one more vote. Ishkhan Zakaryan, who left the “I Have Honor” faction, holds independent deputy status and has been approached by Archbishop Galstanyan.
Once the process is initiated, the opposition must present a candidate for the prime minister position. Artur Khachatryan, a deputy of the Hayastan faction, said that after gathering the necessary 36 signatures, a vote must be held within 48-72 hours. The impeachment process requires at least 54 votes, meaning the opposition would need to secure an additional 18 deputies. Leaders of the movement aim to achieve this by intensifying street protests.
At the rally held on May 12, Archbishop Galstanyan outlined a vision for a transitional government, focusing on national reconciliation, stability and democratic principles. He proposed an inclusive government involving capable professionals from various backgrounds, fostering an atmosphere of justice and reconciliation.
The public administration should be stable and free from nepotism, he argued, ensuring free and fair elections without immediate constitutional changes. He also said that it should continue peace negotiations with Azerbaijan and develop an independent foreign policy, rejecting external pressures.
Emphasizing the unique challenges faced by Armenia, the archbishop called for the integration of experienced specialists, a new strategy for engaging the Diaspora and a focus on post-war recovery.
The archbishop added that controversial programs should be halted, political prisoners released and a new military doctrine developed. The economy should be made self-sufficient, with a focus on resource management and ecological balance. Education should aim to create virtuous individuals, with knowledge driving economic growth. Human rights, citizen liberties and democratic values should be prioritized, paying special attention to national minorities. The archbishop said that this comprehensive approach would stabilize and advance Armenia during the transitional period.
Archbishop Galstanyan continues to lead the movement, calling for peaceful gatherings and summarizing daily activities each evening at St. Anna Church. He has criticized the police for their aggressive tactics against protestors and journalists, arguing that they have been instructed to intimidate and terrorize citizens.
Continue to follow The Armenian Weekly and Hairenik Media for the latest news.
Hoory Minoyan
Latest posts by Hoory Minoyan (see all)
- Aliyev demands Armenia facilitate return of 300,000 Azerbaijanis - December 18, 2024
- The Region in Brief - December 18, 2024
- The Region in Brief - December 11, 2024
Bagrat Srbazan’s sudden and unexpected rise as a major political opposition leader in Armenia is nothing short of miraculous. Bishop Bagrat may actually be Armenia’s last hope. After six years of Western and Turkish financed nightmare in Armenia, there may actually be some hope.
Gurgen you mean 30+ years of Russian-Kremlin occupation (not to mention 300 years all together of Russian occupation of Armenia) and lately Turkish financed nightmare in Armenia?
You need to get away from that USSR mentality of yours and think FREE INDEPENDENT DEMOCRATIC ARMENIA eventually. If we keep relying on other nations to control and manipulate Armenia and the Armenian people we will one day cease to exist.
Hopefully Archbishop Bagrat will manage to get rid of the mentally sick psychopath NICOL and he will be truthful to his words and maybe will be able to save Armenia.
Mary S, for 30 years Armenia had dignity and Artsakh. Then a US funded, homeless looking cuckold comes to power, Artsakh is gone, and Armenia’s very existence is at stake?
Armenia disappeared in the 1300s, and had been under Ottoman occupation. The only part of Armenia that survives is the part that was under the Russian federation. And you have the audacity to say Armenia was occupied by Russia, while ignoring Turkish occupation and genocide? Your only negative mention of Turkey is a recently financed nightmare in the form of pashinoglu?
Are you even Armenian? Which alternate history are you reading? Do you get most of your information from Whoopi Goldberg and “The View”?
Furthermore, name a country that is “Democratic”? The US is a Republican form of government, Canada is parliamentarian. That means majority does not absolutely rule. Your inability to properly classify types of governments also shows how ignorant you are on political matters, and engage in pavlovian responses.
I suggest you start reading some history books and inform yourself more of how things work. Also, read a mapy, the only countries in the world that have an interest in seeing Armenia survive are Russia and Iran. No one else cares. Stop deluding yourself with ideas that “kim Kardashian brought attention to the genocide.”
The one thing we can agree to is that the quicker the American funded Nikol Pashinyan is removed, the better for Armenia.
Your beloved “Azgayin Bever” are pathetic bunch of mercenaries serving US, Israeli and Turkish interests.
It’s remarkable how similar in appearance Nikol Pashinyan is to his nemesis Bagrat Srbazan is, clearly a resemblance of type. Negotiations should be done on the basis of a peace settlement rather than on the basis of ultimatum disguised as removing obstacles as it’s obvious the next demand from Azerbaijan will be the more contentious sovereign access zangegur corridor under the threat of war and Pashinyan will concur in order to keep the peace and prevent war by signing away more and more without actually having a peace settlement as it now seems to be in Azerbaijan interest to drag it out in order to extort more concessions . This behaviour is exactly like Hitler was in the 1930s . It nevertheless needs to be acknowledged that the contention with Azerbaijan and Turkey has been a boon to Russia who has been rather cavalier in its treatment of Armenia, taking cynical advantage of its predicament. The misplaced confidence in the alliance with Russia led to a lack of impetus in seeking a settlement and in time Armenia lost its advantage and the short conflict in 2016 was basically ignored as the losses were limited. Those who slam Pashinyan as a traitor sell out to Turkey and Azerbaijan ought to take note of Russia own relationship with them. Obviously Russia has it’s own interests and priorities which aren’t necessarily concurent with Armenia it has its own interests after all. The notion that Russia has a great altruism towards Armenia is nonsensical it simply has its own interests which whilst it doesn’t have the animus that Turkey and Azerbaijan do but this doesn’t make them friends necessarily in itself! Just like Georgia is clearly not an enemy in the way Turkey and Azerbaijan are doesn’t make it a friend in itself and whilst most Armenians are realistic about Georgia. Likewise the same can be said of Iran. Famous sentimental views about Russia persist. Those who parrot look at a map regarding the prospect of support from other countries ought to note how Azerbaijan and Turkey are more important to Russia than Armenia and the lack of a common border with Russia and thus expedient to it in its current exergencies.
Without people like Bagrat srpazan Armenia dies. And if this last bit of Armenia dies, the Armenian diaspora soon dies.
Pashoglu is the knife being held by the turks and the west against Armenia’s throat.
URGENT LAST-CHANCE CALL ( AHAZANG ) to Armenians in Armenia and the AGBU / freemason Armenians in the Diaspora:
If you keep supporting this vile, mentally handicapped prime minister pashinyan and his equally incompetent government members of his treasonous party, YOU will be responsible for the capitulation and total collapse of Armenia the Motherland, and that in the near future!…
People of Armenia, RISE UP and topple this despicable regime that has caused major disasters in the past 6 years that they started the dismembering of our motherland, first with the capitulation in the war of 2020 and then total loss of Nagorno-Karabagh in 2023..; territorial losses from Armenia proper since 2020, that has severely alienated the government of the Russian Federation to the point of turning the relations between Russia and Armenia HOSTILE… Not to mention the loss of over 7,000 soldiers’ and Armenian citizens’ lives 2020-2024, over 11,400 maimed and handicapped ex-soldiers of Armenia and Karabagh, loss of over $10 billion worth of military equipment and infrastructure, a hard hit to Armenia’s economy and GDP to the extent of -24% recession and climbing, and the continuous mass emigration of Armenian citizens out of Armenia to Russia, Europe, the Arabian peninsula and the U.S. and Canada – so far, since 2020, reliable sources put the number at 110,000 and that is conservative!
In the Name of God Almighty, Jesus Christ and The Holy Spirit, under the moral obligation and sacred duty of preserving the very existence of Armenia the Motherland and for the sake of Humanity:
Revolt Now! Topple this treacherous, failed and filthy government in Yerevan still eating away the rights of Armenian citizens, surrendering land without a fight, and selling out Nagorno-Karabakh because of a shameful defeat in the war against the azarbaijan turkish bastards in 2020 and 2023!
THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE of SAVING ARMENIA.! Take this warning seriously and just for 1 month quit being self-centered and greedy , interested only in self-gain and careless about the Armenian Nation as a citizen. STOP being an individual working and caring just for yourself, and your immediate family – DO CARE AND TAKE ACTION COLLECTIVELY TO SAVE ARMENIA!
Mary S,
We had this conversation once before. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to say the following for others who may be reading this.
Had Russians not come down to the south Caucasus and resurrected Armenia in the early 19th century, you would be riding a scraggly donkey as an Islamized Armenian in the desolate hills of eastern Turkey. Everything we were proud of about modern Armenia – its cultural achievements, scientific research centers, world renowned figures, education system, museums, monuments, architecture, national infrastructure, armed forces, atomic powerplant, subway, etc – was largely a result of Russian influence.
Even today, it’s Russia that enables Armenia’s existence. Russia is our landlocked and impoverished country’s largest trade partner. Russia provides Armenia with one of the lowest energy rates in the world. Russia provides more than 70% of Armenia’s tourism. Russia is the destination of hundreds of thousands of migrant workers from Armenia. Russia is the home of the most largest and most affluent Armenian population on earth. Russia has kept western Turks on their side of the Arax River. Long story short, Armenia will cease to exist the day Russia fully pulls its hand away from Armenia.
Armenians who are Russophones are either deranged lunatics or Turkish/Western agents, or both. I am sure you know all this. You simply have an agenda…
Russia under Putin has become the greatest terrorist nation on Earth threatening (every other day) to destroy the World with its nuclear weapons Hitler only dreamed about.
Putin is personally responsible for the deaths of at least 500,000 people in Syria, Ukraine, Libya and other countries.
He has maimed and injured millions, destroyed the homes of millions and kidnapped thousands of children who he distributes to other families to be raised as “Russians”.
Putin is an indicted war criminal by the ICC and has turned his country into a warmongering, imperialistic dictatorship.
He has destroyed his own Constitutional Govt., murdered and imprisoned anyone who speaks against him, outlawed free speech, personal rights and made a mockery of his own
“legal system”.
He has rounded-up minorities, criminals and jihadists and sent them to the frontlines in Ukraine to die to “clean-up” the country.
He cares nothing for Armenia and couldn’t/wouldn’t even open the road into Artsakh against a mob of Azeris blocking emergency aid into it in violation of his own “peace treaty”.
Years ago, when Putin was seen as a person that was friendly to the West and a possible partner you might have made a reasonable argument in wanting Armenia to maintain its allegiance to Russia but that is not possible under the present system without the removal of Putin.
The Ukraine war has exposed both Putin and Russia as a violent, second rate country that deserves no respect.
It’s federation of disgruntled countries is falling apart under suspicion and distrust of Russia’s actions and intentions.
It’s CSTO is a bad joke since Putin has nothing to offer them except false promises and a dismal future.
Yet, here you are (always), insulting Armenia with your Russophile nonsense pleading for Armenians to hook their cart to the Russian donkey.
If you’re really an Armenian citizen, I’ll allow you your opinion but I suspect you’re very comfortable in a free Western country with all the rights and freedoms, under Putin, Russia will never have.
Unlike Russia, Armenia still has a Constitutional Govt.
If its people want a new PM, then take it to the polls and vote
for a replacement.
Those advocating violence betray the country and are nothing more than “bomb throwers” or shills working for other countries.
Which one are you?
You sound like the shill, David Grigoryan. Typical CNN-style fake information. Not worth my time. Dosvidanya…
@Mary S
All that you’ve revealed is that you failed your Geography exam at school.
Look at a map, Mary, without Russia, Armenia is nothing.
The day that Russia abandons Armenia is the day that the Turks march in.
You know perfectly well what the Turks do to Armenian women.
Do I really even have to say?
Yes Mr Anderson, (and by the way, since when Armenians started using scandinavian surnames? 1300 years ago?:)
1) You are questioning my Armenian identity, yes I’m a proud dissident of a Genocide survivor from Sassoun West Armenia. and I’m a proud Armenian citizen of United State of America, unlike people like you who run away from your beloved Soviet Union to live in US and still be worshiping Kremlin and Russia.
2) Yes I DARE to speak of 30 + years of Russian Corrupted puppet show of your so called “Armenia had dignity” and exactly what did these 4 corrupt, incompetent, thieves and liars (Ter Petrosyan, Kocharyan, Sarkisyan, including Psychopath Pashinyan) do for Armenia; did they improve Armenia’s; People’s lives, Economy, Manufacturing, Technology, Educational System etc…, but most importantly did they strengthened Armenia’s Military to protect and secure Armenia’s borders. And why did for past 30+ years 2.5-3 million Armenians migrated to Russia and elsewhere?, is it because there were extremely high paying jobs in Armenia?
3) Speaking of knowledge of history and loss of Artsakh, perhaps you never heard of the famous LAVROV PLAN, maybe you should visit Moscow and ask him in person, he will give you some lessons on Russian Federation and his LAVROV PLAN.
4) Armenia did not disappeared in the 1300, starting from 1300 Ottomans were every where even in Berlin and Viana, the question is are they still in Viana today?, however, with help of Russian Bolsheviks they manage to take over Western Armenia, and yes they are still occupying not only Western Armenia, also Nakhijevan and again with Russia’s help Artsakh as well. So, yes you definitely need to get in touch with SERGAY LAVROV, too bad Lenin and Stalin are death, they had more details of what OCCUPIED Armenia’s Soviet era maps should look like.
5) Correction US is Constitutional Federal Republic and not a Republican form of government, “Republic form of government” could be anything.
USA is a DEMOCRACY because people govern themselves. And not by a dictator like Putin, Erdogan, Alive or NIKOL PASHA.
6) I have been living in this country before Kim Kardashian was born, just so you know, Americans were aware of THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE back then.
7) No, I don’t have time to watch LALA Shows, I am too smart for that.
8) As a true Հայրենասեր Armenian, I egree that mentally sick Pashinyan is destroying Armenia and needs to be removed, Jailed, Indicted for Treason for betrayal of Armenia and the Armenian people.
9) As far as Pashinyan being funded by USA, you need to have prove for that.
Re 9): indeed. We keep hearing that tale for years and there is no proof whatsoever.
You bunch of cowards little boys, if you believe the Kremlin propaganda and warship communist Putin then what on earth are you all doing in USA, your psychotic dictator Putin needs you so badly in his insane war, go and serve your motherland Russia.
Mary S,
One more time, in case you missed it.
Your beloved “Azgayin Bever” are pathetic bunch of mercenaries serving US, Israeli, Turkish and Sorosite (i.e. Globalist) interests
We had this conversation once before. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to say the following for others who may be reading this.
Had Russians not come down to the south Caucasus and resurrected Armenia in the early 19th century, you would be riding a scraggly donkey as an Islamized Armenian in the desolate hills of eastern Turkey. Everything we were proud of about modern Armenia – its cultural achievements, scientific research centers, world renowned figures, education system, museums, monuments, architecture, national infrastructure, armed forces, atomic powerplant, subway, etc – was largely a result of Russian influence.
Even today, it’s Russia that enables Armenia’s existence. Russia is our landlocked and impoverished country’s largest trade partner. Russia provides Armenia with one of the lowest energy rates in the world. Russia provides more than 70% of Armenia’s tourism. Russia is the destination of hundreds of thousands of migrant workers from Armenia. Russia is the home of the most largest and most affluent Armenian population on earth. Russia has kept western Turks on their side of the Arax River. Long story short, Armenia will cease to exist the day Russia fully pulls its hand away from Armenia.
Armenians who are Russophones are either deranged lunatics or Turkish/Western agents, or both. I am sure you know all this. You simply have an agenda…
@Mary S
@ANCA-DC just tweeted this:
BREAKING: US tax dollars (via @USAID grants to @CivilNetTV) are funding toxic attacks on the Armenian Church – a sacred apostolic (Thaddeus & Bartholomew) ministry & cradle of early Christianity w/ 1st Century roots – likening Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan to Ayatollah Khomenei.
Do some research, and follow the money trail. Yes, the US is funding Nikol Pashinyan, whether it’s funding to destroy his opposition, or paying extra dollars to his gestapo police.
The rest of your arguments are not worth even commenting because they’re either ludicrous, not well-reasoned, or obviously coming from the ramblings of someone who does watch “the View” (protest all you want, but you sound like Whoopi Goldberg or Joyce Behar).
Again bunch of cowards little boys, if you believe the Kremlin propaganda and warship communist Putin then what on earth are you all doing in FREE DEMOCRATIC USA, stop working for Margerita Symonova and your psychotic dictator Putin needs you so badly in his insane war, go and serve your motherland Russia.
ANDERSON – you can watch those idiots as much as you like, it doesn’t mean every one in US are watching “the View” ( as you said, protest all you want, but it’s you who likes Whoopi Goldberg or Joyce Behar). Bahar shmahar who ever these people are you running their ad for.
The only thing Armenia and Armenian people need is, “FREE INDEPENDENT DEMOCRATIC ARMENIA” once that challenge is ecomplished, then create a strong bond with Future Alias; USA, EUROPEAN UNION and IRAN. ——NO TURKS, NO RUSSIANS, NO ISRAIL.
BREAKING NEWS : LIKE IT OR NOT : RUSSIAN IS DEAING !!
Thank you all for your idiotic childish anti – Armenian comments, hide in your hiding hols COWARD. and goodby!
@Mary S
You live in a country where 99.99% of Americans cannot find Armenia on a map.
So don’t try to fool anyone that the Americans will save Armenia, they will not.
On the contrary, it is the Americans and the Turks who are paying Pashinyan.
He is their man.
As you failed your Geography exam at school, you really do need to take Geography lessons again.
One look at a map always brings Armenians back to the real world
The Turkish and Azeri governments have been hiring Bob Livingston’s lobby group -The Livingston Group- to lobby anti-Armenian interests in Washington for years. Guess who also recently hired Bob Livingston to get closer to US politicians? You guessed it, the Sasna Tsrer Azgayin Bever. This disgusting group of Turkish-Israeli-US agents are working in coordination with their finaciers. Just for shits and giggles I’d love to see Armenia forced to pay actual market prices for its energy, and the withdrawal of Russian troops from Gyumri for 6 months to teach these bever supporters a valuable lesson in geopolitics. I’d love to see how the small, underarmed and ill-prepared Armenian army will stand against half a million Turkish NATO trained troops and 5,000 tanks. Or perhaps they think the French or Americans will run to their aid against a fellow NATO partner, like they did to Georgia, or they way they’re supporting the completed massacre of 3 generations of Ukrainian men. Idiots. Enough with the anti-Russian or anti-Iranian posts.
The US and israel want nothing more than to remove Russian influence from the caucasus.
Hard fought Artsakh has been given away and Pahoglu is 4 billion dollars richer. What else needs to be said. Maybe we armenians are too proud that we have been severely duped by the turkic/israeli/west.
These Russophobes here posting are brainwashed by too much western propaganda
Prior to 2018, Nikol and his team were financed by the NED, USAID, British Council and George Soros’ Open Society Foundation. Nikol’s supports can play deaf, dumb and blind but this can be proven in a court of law. Even today, it is Europe and the US that are financing Nikol’s government, including his militarized police force, to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars.
Azgayin Bever (formerly known as Sasna Tsrer) is Nikol’s controlled opposition. Bever members have ties to the Israeli Mossad, the US State Department and to George Soros. It is also rumored that the group has ties to Turkey’s MIT.
Foreign interests fully understand that our tiny, impoverished, landlocked and remote homeland in the south Caucasus lives because of its close ties to Russia. They know that without Russia, Armenia is not a viable nation. They know that without Russia, Armenia dies. There is therefore a well funded and well organized agenda to vilify Russia in Armenian minds and drive a deadly wedge between Moscow and Yerevan.
Our anti-Russian activists are therefore first and formost anti-Armenian. Armenian Russophobes are idiots or traitors to Armenia, or both.
@Mary S
When I showed you the tweet of @ANCA_DC accusingbthe Americans of financing Nikol Pashinyan, you went into a tizzy, name calling everyone.
Your arguments are straight from Harvard low lives, working as think tank hacks.
You and your “azgayin bever” [the leave it to beaver gang] should go back to watching “The View” and learn how to obfuscate points more cleverly.
Yes, Nikol Pashinyan is funded by the USA, and the US has advised Nikol every step of the way
You do understand, don’t you, Russophobes?, that if you lot keep on insulting Russia then, one day, Russia is going to get fed up and abandon Armenia.
What do you lot think is going to happen then?
3 million Armenians are going to survive against 95 million Turks? (85 million in Turkey, 10 million in Azerbaijan).
Are the Diasporan troublemakers going to flock back and defend Armenia with their bodies and blood?
The heck they are!
Perhaps Russia should grant you lot your wish and leave Armenia completely alone.
After all, Armenians have lived as dhimmis before and can do so again.
Just remember to avoid the eyes of Armenian women when the Turks come for them.
OR
Armenians can live in the real world, give the Diasporans the boot, accept Geography and learn how to read a map.
Good to know that there still exists Armenians that can think clearly. This conversation has nothing to do with either liking Russia or Russians. This also has nothing to do with where one lives. This conversation has to do with truth, objectivity and intellectual honesty. I personally could careless about Russians. Whether we like it or not Russia is Armenia’s alpha and omega. Taking into account Armenian traits (our abilities and disabilities) and the general geopolitical situation in the south Caucasus, I believe that Armenia needs to be brought into a close union with Russia, if Armenia is to survive.
One more time: Had Russians not come down to the south Caucasus and resurrected Armenia in the early 19th century, Armenians would still be riding scraggly donkies as an Islamized or Kurdified minority in the desolate hills of eastern Turkey. Everything we were proud of about modern Armenia – its cultural achievements, scientific research centers, world renowned figures, education system, museums, monuments, architecture, national infrastructure, armed forces, atomic powerplant, subway, etc – was largely a result of Russian and Soviet influence.
Even today, it’s Russia that enables Armenia’s very existence. Russia is our landlocked and impoverished country’s largest trade partner. Russia provides Armenia with one of the lowest energy rates in the world. Russia provides more than 70% of Armenia’s tourism. Russia is the destination of hundreds of thousands of migrant workers from Armenia who send back home billions of dollars. Russia is the home of the largest and most affluent Armenian population on earth. Russia has kept western Turks on their side of the Arax River.
Long story short, Armenia will cease to exist the day Russia fully pulls its hand away from Armenia. Armenians who are Russophones are therefore either deranged lunatics or Turkish/Western agents, or both.
Russia without Armenia is Mother Russia still.
Armenia without Russia is a Turkish vilayet where the Armenians live as dhimmis and the Turks do what they want with Armenian women.
Just read Armenian folk stories to see what happens when the Turks are the Masters.