Armenian Genocide: what is Russia showing to Turkey? - opinions

The day after Turkey downed a Russian warplane, the Russian State Duma circulated a bill criminalizing the denial of the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey in 1915.

In an interview with Tert.am, political scientists said that it is no coincidence that Russia is now trying to slap Turkey in the face.

Aghasi Yenokyan, Director of the Armenian Center for Political and International Research, said:

“It seems to be a PR step to strengthen the Armenian people’s confidence in Russia because the threats Armenia may face are not yet known in the context of the Russian-Turkish confrontation.”

According to Mr Yenokyan, circulation and even ratification of the Armenian Genocide resolution by the Russian State Duma will not cause “great pain” to Turkey because that state can submit any of such issues to the European Court for consideration. In this context, he points out a precedent.

“So I consider it noting but a PR step to strengthen Armenia’s confidence in Russia,” the expert said.

As regards Russian opposition political figure Alexey Navalni’s statement that it is the right time for Russia to recognize the Armenian Genocide, as well as LDPR leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky’s claims that
“Turkey’s account must be settled at the hands of others,” namely, Armenia, Mr Yenokyan considers them a provocation against the Armenian people.

“At least by means of political channels it could be warned that Armenia be let alone with its problems. In any case, we should remain neutral to all that. Otherwise, Armenia is going to face serious changes and trials,” Mr Yenokyan said.

Alexander Markarov, Director of the CIS Institute in Armenia said that the Armenian Genocide must never be an issue of speculations for the Armenian side. According to him, the Russian ruling political force’s idea to submit a bill criminalizing the denial of the Armenian Genocide to the Russian State Duma served the political interests of the day.

“Given certain fact, I suppose that the problem may fail to be resolved despite many people’s enthusiasm. Regrettably, under the circumstances, it is only a political response on the present-day agenda,” Mr Markarov said.

International recognition of the Armenian Genocide is among Armenia’s foreign-policy priorities. On the other hand, it is Russian-Turkish relations that are in question, and some of Russian political figures think of using it as a means of pressure.

“I would not like any Armenia-related issue to become a means of pressing Turkey. Any issue related to the Armenian Genocide is a cause of discomfort to Turkey. However, I do not think that Russia could cause pain to Turkey under the circumstances because it is taking economic retaliatory measures which could prove a real blow to Turkey. In any case, Russia is seeking comprehensive solutions,” Mr Markarov said.