The interviewee of “168 hours” is a Russian opposition journalist, political analyst, Andrei Piontkovsky.
“The International Crisis Group recently released a report indicating that the most influential foreign power in this region is Russia, although its role is complex, since on the one hand, it is one of the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, on the other hand, it is the main supplier of weapons to Azerbaijan and Armenia, which arouses a suspicion that he is more interested in increasing its influence in the region than to settle the conflict. What do you think is the real objective of Russia?”.
“I think in no case Russia is interested in Azerbaijan’s large-scale aggression, which would dramatically change the balance of power in the region. Its task is to promote and maintain the Nagorno-Karabakh smoldering conflict to some limited military actions, as it was a year ago by seizing 2-3 villages. Moscow might do that. But its main task is to maintain the control over both sides. Therefore, neither Armenia’s nor Azerbaijan’s victory in this conflict satisfies it in any case”.
