The West is trying to pressure Russia through Armenia
The political scientist is convinced that the government's decision is actually a political signal to Russia that Armenia will not continue to deepen relations with Eurasian structures. The West is trying to put pressure on Russia over the Ukraine issue, including through Armenia.
The political scientist is convinced that the government's decision is actually a political signal to Russia that Armenia will not continue to deepen relations with Eurasian structures. The West is trying to put pressure on Russia over the Ukraine issue, including through Armenia.
Political scientist Arman Boshyan expressed this view in an interview with Sputnik Armenia, commenting on the decision of the Armenian government. The executive body approved the start of the EU accession process on December 9. According to the political scientist, the steps of the Armenian authorities are conditioned by pressure from the West, which wants to show that Armenia is changing its foreign policy.
At the same time, an attempt is being made to put pressure on Russia against the backdrop of a possible peace treaty in Ukraine, which is relevant in the context of Donald Trump coming to power in the United States. According to him, the government's decision is actually a political signal to Russia that Armenia will not continue to deepen relations with Eurasian structures.
"They say, 'Look, we're taking Armenia away from you, you're losing a military base, you're losing your influence in the region'... The same applies to Syria, where Russia had great influence, but now it doesn't. Armenia will be used as a tool of pressure when Trump and Putin meet and agree on zones of influence," said Boshyan. According to the political scientist, Armenia is unlikely to become a member of the EU. They may promise that it will happen in 50 years, but Yerevan is already worsening relations with Russia today.
And the government's decision, which has yet to be discussed in parliament, does not imply any real steps towards integration. "No one is waiting for us in the EU, so this is just a political step to change foreign policy," said Boshyan. At the same time, he drew attention to Pashinyan's words that only a referendum can decide whether Armenia wants to integrate into the EU or not. "The issue is that Armenia's geographical location is such that it has no other economic options besides the EAEU. The economy, particularly exports, is completely dependent on Russia," said Boshyan.
