“The Armenian people are concerned that our strategic ally sells weapons to Azerbaijan. But I am confident Armenia has enough power and ability to protect its border,” such statement was made by Serzh Sargsyan in his interview to La Nacion newspaper, on his official visit to Argentina. Aravot.am asked the expert for political and election technologies, Armen Badalyan, whether we can say that with this statement Serzh Sargsyan rebuked Vladimir Putin for selling weapons to our enemies.
He replied, “Serzh Sargsyan does not have the heft to rebuke Russia for its policies in this or that issue. And then, interestingly, how did the President of Armenia concluded that the Armenian nation is concerned that Russia is selling weapons to Azerbaijan? The rumors about the weapon was voiced last year, but we have not seen that the Armenian people protested in front of the Russian Embassy with a few thousands of people. Moreover, even a few dozen people did not protest. Of course, it became a subject for discussion in political and media, by experts and journalists, and maybe in street conversation. But to tell that the Armenian people are very concerned about it, I do not think that it is true. Moreover, no social polls have been conducted on this matter.” Pursuant to Armen Badalyan, after September 3, Russia’s Foreign Ministry is exercising not only its country’s foreign policy, but also the Republic of Armenia. Accordingly, Serzh Sargsyan would not be able to criticize Putin. “If Armenian people were really concerned as said my Serzh Sargsyan, then at least the Foreign Ministry should have made a statement about it. But, as we know, the existing de jure Foreign Ministry of Armenia has not divulged any information about it.
Therefore, this statement does not meet the reality. It is just an interview to one of local newspapers, which has a PR significance but unsuccessful.” To our question of whether it is possible that Putin’s and Serzh Sargsyan’s relationship would go worse as a result of this criticism, Armen Badalyan replied, “No, it is impossible. Of course, it will definitely reach Vladimir Putin, they will inform him about it. But, I think that Vladimir Putin knows our current president not in the past 6 years, but quite longer. He very well knows Serzh Sargsyan’s phrases and his conducted internal and external policies. Thus, it is, one can say, a statement of nothing.”
Hripsime JEBEJYAN
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