Moscow to remain silent over military support agreement between Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh – Denis Dvornikov

Russia’s negative response to the military support agreement between Yerevan and Stepanakert will prove a blow to Russia itself, Denis Dvornikov, a member of the Russian branch, International Law Association, told Tert.am as he commented on the Armenian foreign office’s statement that a military support agreement between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh was ready.

“A military cooperation agreement between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh was on the agenda as early as this April, after the escalation. Yerevan and Stepanakert were said to have actually reached an agreement. It is part of geopolitical developments,” Mr Dvornikov said. 

According to him, Armenia’s society will not perceive Russia, as Armenia’s military partner, showing a negative response to this fact.

“I think Russia will remain silent, which would be the wisest step on its part.” 

Mr Dvornikov did not rule out the possibility of new working agreements against the backdrop of the expected rearrangements in the Armenian cabinet. In his words, no new steps should be expected until the appointment of new ministers of defense and foreign affairs.

“I think that agreement is now in a process of full implementation. It is a different matter that a range of other issues now require a legal reaffirmation,” he said.

The Russian analyst said he even expects the Azerbaijani authorities to turn a blind eye to a possible agreement between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. “But they may also start reporting that it implies Nagorno-Karabakh’s de facto recognition by Armenia etc. They will certainly do everything possible to undermine the Armenian sides’ influence in the negotiation process.”

But the Russian-Armenian community's reaction and possible steps are more important than that, Mr Dvornikov added. "Also, it is important how the Armenian Embassy to Russia will prepare the community, if it can do anything at all. Instead of Azerbaijan, we need to focus on Armenia's leverages and resources, as everything now depends upon them," he said.