Russian expert on "Ukrainization" of Yerevan s foreign policy 

ArmInfo. Russian political scientist Sergei Markedonov commented on the "Ukrainianization" of  Yerevan's foreign policy.

Drawing attention to the fact that on August 24, Ukraine celebrates  the anniversary of the adoption of the Act of National Independence,  the expert noted that on this day, Kiev received congratulations from  leaders of different countries.

According to him, at first glance, this is diplomatic routine,  however, greetings from some capitals attracted increased attention.

"Nikol Pashinyan congratulated Vladimir Zelensky on Independence Day,  expressing hope for "raising mutually beneficial cooperation to a  qualitatively new level."

I will immediately make a reservation. I will not talk about the  "Ukrainianization" of Yerevan's foreign policy and look for Soros's  hand in Pashinyan's team; many will gladly fulfill this task without  my modest participation. But I would like to dwell on a couple of  points in more detail," the political scientist believes.

Markedovnov drew attention to the fact that relations between Russia  and Armenia are still developing on a downward trajectory, which is  not good for either Moscow or Yerevan. According to him, this is why  it is worth focusing on the "festive plot", since symbols in politics  sometimes mean no less, if not more, than material factors.  "Pashinyan congratulated Zelensky. But Ilham Aliyev also  congratulated. The question is, why is it possible for him and not  for Pashinyan? Let's proceed from the principle: all people are free,  they can do everything. Moreover, I will add one more fact. In 2009,  Pashinyan's predecessor Serzh Sargsyan solemnly awarded Mikheil  Saakashvili with a high Armenian order.

However, there are nuances. Sargsyan did so because two of his  country's four borders were closed, and the Georgian "corridor"  accounted for 75% of exports and imports. And if Russia was number 1  in the field of security, then Georgia was the first country in terms  of foreign economic significance. Now about Aliyev.  Let's compare  the capabilities and resources of Azerbaijan and Armenia in the  spectrum from economics to military-technical issues. And many  conclusions will disappear by themselves. Today, for various reasons,  the US and the EU, Israel and Iran, and Turkey and Russia are  interested in Baku. Who will blame him for some telegrams when there  are considerable stakes at stake," the expert asked. At the same  time, the Russian political scientist believes that in politics one  can act in different ways: there is an option to emphasize values,  and in another case, a cynical course is actualized, but beneficial  for the defense and security of your country.

"Okay, let's agree with the conclusion that Russia did not use all  its resources to support Armenia. It could have, but it did  otherwise. Let's assume. But what does the actualization of the  Ukrainian direction "here and now" give Yerevan? Irritation of  Moscow? The Russian Federation did not do enough, and if they show it  a telegram from Yerevan to Kyiv, will there immediately be everything  and in abundance?  Doubtful. Again, Aliyev. Azerbaijan and Ukraine  have been linked for many years by mutually beneficial contacts in  the military-technical and energy spheres. There are benefits today  from cooperation with Russia. And the Russian Federation is now in a  position in which it is clearly not convenient to scold the  Azerbaijani "partners". Can Armenia afford this? The answer is  unambiguous," Markedonov is sure.

In this regard, the political scientist wonders what the benefit of  intensifying contacts with Kiev is? "Will the Ukrainian side forget  everything and rejoice in the new partner? If that partner were the  size of India, this would most likely happen. In fact, we saw how  they blew dust off Prime Minister Modi during his visit to Kyiv. And  this despite the fact that he did not reorient himself anywhere, he  simply honored us with his attention. However, for such interest it  would be good to have nuclear status and the number 1 population in  the world. Thus, Ukraine will not benefit much from the  "qualitatively new level" of relations with Armenia. The West has  restrained Russia without Yerevan and will continue to restrain it  until it considers its costs extremely high.

The bottom line is that we have more reasons for dissatisfaction with  the Armenian side in Moscow, zero benefits for Yerevan (both in terms  of money and security), additional neurosis in bilateral relations  and an atmosphere in which a meaningful exchange of opinions is  practically impossible. Again and again. You can change your foreign  policy, you can make turns and U-turns, but it would be good to get  benefits at the same time. They turned away from Moscow and were in  complete chocolate. But no, Yerevan has obvious problems with this  today," Markedonov summed up.