YEREVAN (Azatutyun.am)—Armenia counts on Russia’s support in its ongoing efforts to counter a serious threat to its national security emanating from neighboring Turkey, a senior Armenian official said over the weekend.
Armen Grigoryan, the secretary of the Armenian government’s Security Council, reaffirmed Yerevan’s serious concerns over Turkey’s vehement support for Azerbaijan shown during and after recent deadly clashes on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.
“Seeing that Azerbaijan is unable to keep the situation under control on its own, Turkey is trying to intervene,” Grigoryan told RFE/RL’s Armenian service. “I think that this poses a serious threat to the region. It is also a challenge to the regional security architecture. The regional security architecture has long been unchanged. Turkey is now trying to change it through its intervention.”
“We are fully prepared and will take steps to minimize this [threat.]” he said. “We also have a lot of work to do in this direction with our strategic ally Russia in order to prevent such changes in the region.”
Asked about Moscow’s reaction to the Armenian concerns, Grigoryan said: “The July incidents [on the border] coincided with the coronavirus pandemic, and we have not yet been able to discuss the issue at a higher level. But these issues are on the agenda because they are about challenges facing the region and we need a common response to these challenges.”
Ankara has blamed Yerevan for the fighting that broke out at a western section of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border on July 12 and vowed to boost Turkish military support for Baku. In what appears to be a related development, Turkish and Azerbaijani troops began on July 29 joint military exercises in various parts of Azerbaijan.
The Armenian Foreign Ministry expressed concern at the exercises before the Armenian military put some of its forces on high alert. Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan said on July 28 that Armenian army units as well as a Russian-Armenian military contingent are “continuing to constantly monitor and analyze” Turkish-Azerbaijani military activities “with all reconnaissance means” at their disposal.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed the Armenian-Azerbaijani flare-up during a phone conversation on July 27. According to the Kremlin, Putin “stressed the importance of preventing any steps that could cause an escalation in tensions.” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov similarly urged the Turks to exercise restraint.
Will Turkey get the best of Russia in the Caucasus as it has in Syria and Lebanon?
We shall see.
Armenia lives because of the Russian factor in the Caucasus region. This has been the case for the past 200 years. Simply put: No Russia in Armenia, no Armenia in the south Caucasus. It’s that simple. Anyone that does not understand this is either a Western agent advocating for Armenia’s demise or simply a moron. Glory to Mother Russia. God bless Mayr Hayastan…
….. Ankara has blamed Yerevan for the fighting that broke out…, THE SOLUTION IS SIMPLE, PUT IN PLACE MONITORING SYSTEMS
Lets be clear: the only reason Russia is there is because its in its own best interest. A solid band of Asian invading Turks under its belly is no good for Russia at all…The only option for Armenia is to spend all capital on security, military, advanced weaponry, etc. until it has the ability to inflict serious damage on Azerbaijan, which it currently does, and Turkey itself, which its getting better at as the recent Turkish direct Armenia threats shows. TAKE THESE THREATS SERIOUSLY. Its exactly what they mean. That AG isn’t over. Also understand that NO ONE, not even Russia will spend the ultimate capital to protect Armenia as it will always do whats in its best interest. Its up to us. Its always been.. ONE ARMENIA, Artsakh and Diaspora…
People should understand that RUSSIA is not a non profit organization, it’s leaders are obliged to protect the interests of the Russian people.