Russia takes an advantage of the opportunity. This is the opinion of MP Edmon Marukyan about Vice-Speaker of Russian State Duma, Alexander Romanovich’s proposal that “given the relations of Azerbaijan and Armenia with Russia, it would be logical to organize the negotiation platform in Moscow, possibly under the auspices of the OSCE.” Edmon Marukyan recalled that after the August escalations when the well-known Sochi meeting was held, the situation calmed down a bit, “In every such situation, an attempt is made by Russia to win dividends or to record their role. In that sense, I think they must be the first to report that the sale of so many weapons by them would one day lead to this situation.
In other words, first of all, they must repent of. The guarantees that once were given to the Armenian side, some moves should be made associated with it. Once, when Armenia was expressing discontent with the sale of weapons worth 4 billion dollars, they were saying that it will not break the balance in the region and it is in no way directed against Armenia as our strategic partner and so on. But it was clear that the gun hanging on the wall would shoot one day. So many sold weapons would fire one day. First of all, I think they need to think in this direction and take steps. To clarify whether there was a ban by this agreement on the sale of weapons to use it against Armenia. Whether these guarantees are enshrined.” As for moving the talks to Moscow, Edmon Marukyan said, “The Minsk Group is the exclusive group that involves 3 permanent members of the UN Security Council in one group at the same time. No such format exists in the world. The balance of forces is very important to maintain and one party should not take on the full responsibility and use this conflict to its advantage. That is why the involvement of France and the US is very important. The important thing here is not the capital but all three parties involved in this process.”
The CSTO targeted statement, as Edmon Marukyan said, is “the result of our consistent criticism.” “On the other hand, I do not pin any hope with CSTO. Our hope is our army and our armed forces. I cannot imagine that Kazakhstan and Belarus having such close ties with Azerbaijan will make some actions. That’s why I do not have any hope in that regard.”
Hripsime JEBEJYAN
