Russia not criminalizing denial of Armenian Genocide kind of damage to bilateral relations – Ara Papyan

Moscow actually used the bill criminalizing the denial of the Armenian Genocide, as well as the idea of denouncing the Treaty of Moscow, as a lever to press Turkey, political scientist, Director of the Modus Vivendi center Ara Papyan told Tert.am as he commented on a negative opinion on the bill by the Russian Government and Supreme Court.

“Such a verdict was to be expected. They had actually come to realize that it did not work or they had achieved their goals. This is the reason why the bill had this fate,” Mr Papyan said.

On the other hand, he points out that Russia is does not want to burn all its bridges behind it in its relations with Turkey.

“If we consider Russia’s behavior during the last few years, including in the context of the 100^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, we can see it is much more passive than other states. Besides Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state visit, none of the Russian parties or organizations had done anything,” Mr Papyan said.

At the same time he says that Russia is naturally using Armenia in its own interests.

“Whatever they are doing to Armenia - good or bad - they are not doing it for Armenia. Rather, they are doing it in their own interests. Sometime the steps meet Russia’s interests, and it is good for us. But when the steps do not meet [Russia’s interests], it is bad for us.”

In response to remark that Russia is a guarantor of Armenia’s security and its strategic partner, Mr Papyan said that Russia remains a guarantor of Armenia’s security if it is armed defense that is in question.

“We expect defense, we expect Russia to honor its commitments in case of attacks. And such expectations are always held, and these are de jure bilateral relations,” Mr Papyan said.

According to him, the rejection of the bill was a bad thing for Armenians.

“They may, so to say, rebuke us and say that even Russia does not criminalize denial of the Armenian genocide. It is kind of damage to Armenian-Russian relations because such statements arouse expectations among people only to disappoint them,” Mr Papyan said.

He does not think that the rejection of the bill has caused serious damage. Nor would it prove beneficial even if it were approved now.

“In this case, we are more concerned over the Russian arms sales to Azerbaijan and Russia’s plans to continue selling arms to Azerbaijan. And it has more disastrous consequences.”