Russian peacekeepers need to take some drastic measures to protect themselves, however, this must be done competently, Russian political expert Yevgeny Mikhailov said, the Russian bureau of Report informs.
He was commenting on the latest provocations of Armenians against the Russian military in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, where the peacekeepers are temporarily stationed.
According to the political scientist, a tough response is exactly what the organizers of such provocations are counting on. “There is no need to give Yerevan a reason to shout to the whole world that Russian peacekeepers are violating the conditions of their stay in the region, and so on,” Mikhailov said.
The expert noted that Armenia has clearly taken a pro-Western position and is trying to promote the interests of France: “I am not surprized that provocations against Russian peacekeepers continue in Karabakh. Armenia has clearly taken a pro-Western position on this issue and is trying to promote the interests of France, as the EU mission and numerous rallies demanding the withdrawal of Russian peacekeepers from the region and, in principle, the withdrawal of Russian troops from Armenia. We see such speeches regularly. Now, as the talks about the final negotiations and the approach to a peace treaty intensify, Armenia and certain forces in Karabakh are making every effort to destabilize the situation.”
“I expect that the provocations will only intensify, because Yerevan and its allies are actually driven into a corner. Azerbaijan is clearly standing on its positions, Russia remains in the role of a peacekeeper, and this does not please France, its allies, and those who are interested in fueling the conflict in the South Caucasus and using Armenia in their own interests," he said.