Russia or West - Pashinyan's reflection, or yet another attempt to protract process

Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan is currently stuck between Russia and the East, unable to make any independent decision, political expert and professor Alimurad Ibrahimov told Report.

He believes that both parties are currently trying to increase their influence on Yerevan.

"The rumors about Pashinyan's visit to Moscow have been heard in Russia several times over the last month, but the prime minister hasn't yet visited Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin apparently wants a formal commitment from Armenia that it will support the Kremlin in the war against Ukraine. The fact that the meeting has not yet taken place indicates that Pashinyan has remained between two fires. And he cannot pursue a balanced policy," he said.

According to the expert, Pashinyan can act the way that would hinder the achievement of results in Brussels: "It is possible that yesterday's action in Armenia served precisely this purpose. The prime minister intends to refuse to sign the documents proposed to him under the pretext of a rally, an internal situation.

"In any case, yesterday's rally is not a decisive factor. After all, there have been many such protests in the country so far. In addition, there is no real opposition to the current government in Armenia now. It all depends on Pashinyan's will. If he wants, he can sign documents. This is also known in Europe. I want to emphasize that both scenarios are beneficial for us. The signing of the submitted documents by the Prime Minister, of course, meets our interests. However, the reverse of this is an advantage for us, because Armenia's destructive policy will once again be exposed. This, of course, should be regarded as our diplomatic success."

Ibrahimov believes that Pashinyan is grasping at straws: "Although the authorities that preceded the incumbent powers knew that sooner or later Azerbaijan would liberate Karabakh, they were stubborn. Pashinyan now continues the same rhetoric. He cannot make decisions. He hopes that there will be a favorable situation in the future. The documents that will be presented to Pashinyan today are highly likely in the interests of Azerbaijan. This is evidenced by the statements of EU officials. Of course, sooner or later, the agreement will be signed, and the documents will be determined. Just, as I said, Pashinyan is trying to slow down the process."

It should be noted that the Armenian opposition held a rally in Yerevan on April 5. The action, which took place ahead of the meeting between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Brussels, is regarded as another political show of the Armenian authorities. With this show, Pashinyan is trying to insure against possible scenarios during the negotiations, relying on public opinion. Under all leaders in Armenia, such scenarios were widely used to delay the negotiation process. However, both Pashinyan and his Western patrons are well aware that the Karabakh problem has already been resolved. There is no way back, and attempts to put forward additional conditions will not have any effect. Sooner or later, work must begin on a peace treaty, delimitation of borders, opening communications, and other issues. The sooner this happens, the better for Armenia.