Russian MP comments on employment of U.S. officer by Armenia`s defense minister
ArmInfo.The appointment of a US Army representative to work in the Armenian Ministry of Defense is
a consistent step by Yerevan to sever ties with Moscow. This opinion was expressed by the first deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots Konstantin Zatulin.
"What was hitherto secret is becoming clear. I am sure that even
before this statement, the Pashinyan government was leaking
everything related to military cooperation with Russia to its new
partners in the West. Now there is no need to hide it, and this is
precisely what is connected with the emergence of the official
representative in the Ministry of Defense. The threat to Russia is
that the current Pashinyan government is making active efforts to
reshape the consciousness of Armenian citizens and make them believe
that the West will help them, and Russia is their enemy. Although
this is not stated directly. current coordination with the Americans
and the West in the military field, then within the framework of this
treacherous course, these are quite understandable consistent steps
to sever ties with Russia, the post-Soviet space and to come under
the wing of the West," he said in an interview with Gazeta.Ru.
Zatulin believes that Russia should draw "deep conclusions" in
connection with Armenia's decision. According to him, Moscow may
warn that it will condemn the repression of protesters against the
Pashinyan government.
"Armenia is now at a crossroads. Although Pashinyan retains the
possibility of a parliamentary majority until 2026, we know about
those protest movements in Armenia. For our part, [we can] firmly
warn that the desire to sit on bayonets and repress protesters will
be condemned by us and will have consequences in our relations. This
is much more important than simply reacting with words to the next
sneeze of the Armenian leadership," he explained.
Zatulin believes that the Armenian leadership may raise the issue of
the Russian 102nd military base, located in Gyumri and Yerevan. "I am
sure that at a certain stage the leadership of Armenia, if it feels
the drive and lack of reaction to everything previous, will
definitely raise this question. There is not even a doubt about this,
because Mr. Pashinyan, without being any prime minister, throughout
his entire public career opposed our base in Armenia, membership in
the CSTO, and so on. Part of his course has already become the
official line of the Armenian government. The same applies to the
base," he concluded.
Prior to this, the United States Under Secretary of State for Civil
Security, Democracy and Human Rights Uzra Zeya confirmed information
about the appointment of a representative of the US Army to work in
the Armenian Ministry of Defense. The politician called this decision
a "welcome process."
Previously, Pashinyan stated that Armenia is ready to raise the level
of relations with the United States to a strategic partnership
between Washington and Yerevan.