No Turning Points to be Anticipated from Sargsyan-Putin Meeting in Karabakh Conflict Settlement Process: Skakov
“Developments in Yerevan complicate NK conflict negotiation process,” Alexander Skakov, Russian political scientist, expert on the South Caucasus issues, told 168.am, reflecting to regional developments and NK conflict settlement process. He stated that Russia has passed on to active political phase, attempting to attract new allies, which under confrontation with the West obtains more importance.
According to Skakov, Moscow attempts to deepen relations with Iran, due to which it agreed on trilateral cooperation within this new trilateral format, which, it’s yet difficult to say what results will have for the three, on account of the main purpose of that cooperation— lack of perspective in North-South project. “Although at the moment presidents of the three countries are satisfied with declarations on fight against terror and general challenges, and share with desires tending to the future, their productivity isn’t observed for the time being,” Skakov said. According to the latter, this cooperation is crucial for Russia from the perspective of propaganda, as it shows that Russia has allies, moreover, it deepens cooperation and develops new formats.
Touching upon Russia-Turkey rapprochement, Skakov stated, that this process is in its initial stage. In his conviction this won’t be as trustful and stabile as it used to be, prior to the incident. “Simply they have much shared interests, and Turkey and Russia will resume cooperation around important projects. Putin-Erdogan meeting and the released statement edify this,” Skakov said.
Reflecting to Putin-Sargsyan meeting to be held on August 10 in Russia, and talks that at its stage of close political relations with Azerbaijan and Turkey, Moscow will urge Armenia to settle issues around Karabakh through return of territories, and that it’s useless touching upon settlement plans. In his words, presidents of the conflicting countries and mediators realize it better. Thus, according to Skakov, today issues relating only to stabilization of the situation and forthcoming negotiations are being discussed.
“Putin clarified Russia’s position in Baku. He stated that Russia would like that there were no winners or losers, but a mutually acceptable settlement was recorded. For the time being, I think there are no settlement plans, or, even if they are available, they won’t be discussed on account of moods in Armenia and Azerbaijan. Occurrences in Yerevan also complicate negotiations, as clear calls and claims were heard. Thus, I consider, tomorrow presidents will exchange thoughts on recent regional and internal developments, accordingly, a turning point shouldn’t be anticipated from the forthcoming meeting,” Skakov concluded.
By Araks Martirosyan
