A few days ago, in Tsakhkadzor, Serzh Sargsyan visited “Baze-2015” Pan-Armenian youth gathering participants and welcoming them, recalling the Declaration of Independence of Armenia adopted 25 years ago, noted, “When we were accepting the Declaration, we were sure that our children would live in free and independent Armenia… I am sure that you inheriting this independence will be able to pass it onto future generations. And in order to be able to do it better than we obtained it and pass it to you, please, always remember that independence is not only happiness, independence is not only a right, independence is also a duty and a responsibility. If suddenly, the trend begins taking a shape in Armenia that independence is a good thing, but let me escape the army and avoid defending our borders, if the trend begins taking a shape in Armenia that independence is a very good thing, and let others give us free gas and cheap gas and we remain independent, if the trend begins taking a shape in Armenia that despite the fact that there are economic problems all over the world, but we are Armenians and citizens of Armenia, so these problems should not exist in Armenia, then believe that our independence and our freedom is in jeopardy. I repeat, the independence has its price, and each of us is obligated to pay this price. If we are able to withstand the difficulties timely, if we are able to defend ourselves, nothing will happen to us, be sure.”
On August 24, the Independence Day of Ukraine was marked. Ukraine facing major challenges has made its choice and is paying the price of this choice. Former President of Georgia, now the head of the Odessa region in Ukraine, Mikhail Saakashvili, often illustrates Ukraine as an example, connecting the future of the former Soviet Union republics with the fight for the freedom of Ukraine. Recently, in the interview with the “Dozd” TV channel, Saakashvili, referring to the 2008 Russian-Georgian and Ukraine wars, noted that the situation of other countries depends on the future in Ukraine. “We are in a regional politics. This is a war. The war of 2008 was not the war against Georgia. This is a war for our freedom. … This war is connected with one another… Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Ukraine, Central Asia…”
He added that if Ukraine overcomes this war, other countries would also survive. “If Ukraine overcomes this, if Ukraine held reforms, if Ukraine passes through this, then we all are saved, we all who are around Ukraine. If the problems in continue, then we all will have problems too.” Paying quite a high price, Ukraine is freed from Russian chains and deserves respect. My words do not assume that all countries should pay the same price to be free from the chains, which oppress them and do not leave a prospect for development. But all the countries and their citizens should ask a question to themselves about what kind of a country and what kind of future they wish for their children. Even Russia’s allies are forced today to stress at times that their countries national interests are more important than proving the endless loyalty to Russia, which is not appreciated particularly. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, for example, a few weeks ago, was again sincere noting that Russia’s “real face is greedy and not allied”.
Recently, Lukashenko, to the point, driven from the “humanitarian motives,” pardoned and released 6 opposition figures from the jail, including his opponent in the 2010 presidential election, Nikolai Statkevich. After this move, the West is already talking about improving the relations with Belarus. The relations with the West were interrupted in 2011 when after the presidential elections in Belarus, the government authorities suppressed the opposition members, to which the West responded with sanctions: the access of leaders of Belarus to the West is banned, the Belarusian companies appeared in the “black list”, these companies were banned entering into trade relations with the EU and the United States. It seems like it is a phase with the leaders of Russia and its former allied Soviet Union countries when everyone is trying to understand what to do. The future with Russia is not only unpredictable and uncertain but also dangerous, all of the realize this.
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Moscow does not manage to find new allies, therefore, today, we are witnessing a more nervous and defiant behavior of Russia. “The Eurasian Economic Union is the same as the Noah’s Ark, who gets on the Ark will survive, who does not, will be erased from the earth”, – such an opinion is expressed by the leader of the “International Eurasian Movement”, also known for his imperial views, Alexander Dugin, in his interview with 1in.am. In his words, if Russia is able to come out of this situation, Armenia will come out too, but it will not be easy. “If Armenia tries to get help from the West during this difficult for Russia times, then it (Armenia) will be exploded and nothing will be left from Armenia. The West doesn’t need Armenia. The only thing that the West can achieve it to resume the Karabakh conflict to give a blow to its geopolitical opponent – Russia. Armenia right now should hold on strong from Russia and quietly follow the created dire financial-economic situation.”
No government authorities of Armenia have ever doubted on the strategic relations with Russia, but, as we can see, this is not enough for Armenia to be subjected to endless pressures and blackmail from Russia by Russian and Armenian figures. Such estimates while one day by Zhirinovsky and Kurghinian, another day by Leontiev and Nikoghosyan cause more harm to the Armenia-Russia relations, more cast doubt over the firmness of these relationships, the trust and sincerity towards each other.
Emma GABRIELYAN,
“Aravot” daily
