"US soft power is actively working in Armenia, which, through various structures, forms public opinion in this country in the interests of the West. If Russia's influence weakens, then it is likely that most of the society in Armenia will be subject to Western influence," Daria Grevtsova, Russian pundit and deputy director of the Institute for Political Studies, told the Russian bureau of Report.
According to the SOCIES Expert Center poll conducted in Armenia, 69.7% of respondents believe that Yerevan needs to limit relations with Moscow. The NATO bloc wins over the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in the Armenian society. Thus, 34.1% of respondents believe that the security of Armenia should be ensured by NATO, which this country should join. Only 29.1% of the respondents voted for the CSTO. At the same time, Armenia is currently a member of the CSTO.
According to the expert, the position of the Armenians varies from the status of Moscow at the international level.
"Certainly, it cannot be denied that Armenia has active pro-Western sentiments. Whenever Russia faces problems, some part of the Armenian society tries to move away from any ties with Russia, including from the CSTO, and turn towards the West. In general, they have previously adhered to the same position, they were committed to Western values and the way of life."
At the same time, Grevtsova stressed that Yerevan's NATO membership does not guarantee the security of the Armenian population.
"Not everyone understands that even joining NATO does not guarantee security of Armenia and its independent policy. After all, NATO members must comply with Washington's orders, what all European countries are doing now, harming their own economy," the expert believes.