Analyst of Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM), Konrad Zasztowt, considers the selling of weapons to Azerbaijan by Russia dangerous from the regional security perspective. To the observation of Aravot.am that Russia holds talks with Azerbaijan on the supply of Russian military equipment. And this is in the event when the international community is trying to ease the tension in the contact line, to organize the Sargsyan-Aliyev meeting by the year-end to ensure the continuity of the negotiation process, and imposes some pressure against Azerbaijan, Mr. Zasztowt responded, “I fully agree with this opinion. It is also very dangerous. But the selling of weapons for Russia has been the best business since the Soviet years.
On the other hand, it is a political instrument in the hands of Moscow, with which it attracts Baku. Azerbaijani elite nurses a hope to receive Russia’ support for Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, therefore, it wants to strengthen its ties with the Kremlin by all means.” To our next question that the former assistant for the South Caucasus issues, the former US Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Matthew Bryza, has announced that the upcoming meeting of the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan aimed at the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict cannot produce any results as there is still no trust between the parties. So, in your opinion, what can be expected from the meeting of the presidents of the two countries? Mr. Zasztowt replied, “Unfortunately, Matthew Bryza is correct. Both parties in conflict are involved in a game, the rules of which are dictated by Moscow. The latter is interested in maintaining the status quo, moreover, it is interested in a controlled escalation”. The analyst also talked about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. According to him, the progress in peaceful normalization of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is less likely. He did not rule out that the recent incidents registered in the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and in the contact line of Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijani troops can result in the resumption of large-scale hostilities. Note that the press conference was organized in the framework of “Dialogue”: Diversification of the sources of international news for Armenian media” project supported by the OSCE Office in Yerevan.
Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
