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1. Aha says:

   Օգոստոս 18, 2022 at 20:33

   I think a more fundamental question pertains as to why Armenian-Russian relations are no longer solid and based on mutually trust and respect. Russian and Armenian elites denigrate each other publicly and it is no secret that the level sympathy that existed previously (since Tsarist times) is no longer in place. Of course countries make decisions based on national interests but sympathy, or generally subjective factors, have their share in rounding corners and making relations more fluid.

   Remember that Armenians have played a significant role in the Russian history of the last 200 years, from high ranking officers in Russian and soviet armies to top officials in the communist party (Mikoyan, Shahumyan, Hovakimyan). I would add that today’s Armenia exists as an indirect product of Russian intervention in the Caucasus in the early 19th century. Without Russians and given the limited Armenian presence at the time on the territory of today’s Armenia, Armenians would probably be a small minority in the Caucasus today (like Ossets, Lezgis, Abkhaz). The forced migration of Shah Abbas had already emptied significant portions of eastern Armenia (except Karabakh). Finally, I remember from childhood that the Russian presence in Armenia, whether is was through science, art, or military has generally had a positive effect on our people and given us confidence and the opportunity to play in the major leagues of the world.

   Unfortunately, what happened is that Armenia got caught in the slowly escalating West-Russia rivalry that started from the mid to late 2000, especially during the tenure of pres. Sargsyan who had been weakened by the March 1 2008 events and was thus more flexible, pliable on internal matters of national security. Dozens of NGOs and activists slowly shifted the mood in the country against Russia and by 2018, there was already a critical mass of mostly young people who sincerely considered that Russia was the biggest problem of Armenia. When that group came to power, things further soured between the 2 former allies until things finally broke down with the 2020 war. It’s sad because the links between Russians and Armenians had been at a high level since centuries, it should have been cherished and preserved. I worry that as the centuries old links between Turks and Armenians were severed starting early 20th century, so will the links between Russians and Armenians. The same happened between the Georgians and Russians. The Azerbaijanis played it smart though (with the steady hand of the Aliyevs) and walked the fine line between West and Russia. They were rewarded for it and will continue to be so, even if not democratic or respectful of human rights, to the chagrin of our idealistic progressives 😉

   Our history should have taught us that nations of our size should do their utmost to remain far from fighting elephants.

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