Putin and Medvedev have different views on Karabakh: Sinan Ogan

Russia's recent move to upgrade the agreement that regulates the presence of its military base in the Armenian town of Gyumri may have an impact on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and was also a clear message to Azerbaijan that Moscow will help Armenia should military actions be unleashed against it, President of the Turkish Centre for International Relations and Strategic Analysis (TURKSAM) Sinan Ogan said in an interview with local Armenian daily Jamanak (Time).

"Of course, that may have an impact on the Karabakh conflict. It was a clear message for Azerbaijan to opt against any military actions. With that step Russia is demonstrating that it will protect Armenia in case of danger, and the danger here is first of all for Azerbaijan," said Mr Ogan.

At the same time he said that Russia does not want any war in the region.

"But we must not forget that should Azerbaijan unleash a war, that war will not take place in Armenia's or Nagorno Karabakh's territory but rather in the territory of Azerbaijan's seven 'occupied' regions. For that reason Russia will not interfere in the military actions should a war be started there," said he.

Further Mr Ogan said that Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin have different approaches over the Karabakh issue.

"Vladimir Putin thinks that the preservation of the current status quo in Karabakh process is quite beneficial for Russia, while Dmitry Medvedev approaches the issue in a different way, considering that the current situation isn't quite right, and that the process of peaceful settlement should continue."