Russia to continue providing armaments to conflicting parties, hinting that victory of any side isn’t beneficial: Malashenko
“Russia’s policy of selling armaments to the conflicting parties will remain unchanged,” Russian political scientist Alexey Malashenko told 168.am, reflecting to Russia-Azerbaijan negotiations around new armaments deal.
Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev told RIA Novosti during the World Economic Forum in Davos that Baku is holding negotiations with Moscow on supply of new armaments as it’s interested in the latest defense systems.
“Yes, we are negotiating for new purchases. You know better how the Russian military industry is developed. We are interested mainly in the most contemporary defensive weapons, new designs. This applies both helicopters and defense systems, the entire complex,” Aliyev said.
In his words the perspectives of new agreements between Azerbaijan and Russia in the field of armaments “are good.” “You know the history, the figures have been announced, agreements have been signed for about USD 5 billion, most of them have already been implemented,” Aliyev said. It should also be stated that after the April war Serzh Sargsyan, President of Armenia, Edward Nalbandian, Foreign Minister of Armenia, have repeatedly expressed their public discontent around this policy pursued by their strategic ally.
Alexey Malashenko considers justified the discontent among the Armenian society and authorities. However, according to him, Russia didn’t assume any responsibility on not selling armaments to any country, in particular, when armaments supply to the conflicting parties on the conflict zone is the essence of Russian policy, especially, when Russia is gaining serious money in this field.
“Russia has consistently provided armaments to the parties to the conflict, by that attempting not to give predominance to any side, at the same time hinting, that victory of any side isn’t beneficial for it. In this case Russia is led by its national interests, which is keeping Russian presence in the South Caucasus, and why not, its strengthening. I repeat, I understand the discontent both in Armenia and Azerbaijan. In case of conflicting countries it’s natural, however, it won’t change anything in Russian policy,” he said.
He considers to neutralize implications of that policy Russia attempts to strengthen security of the Republic of Armenia, as CSTO is responsible for that security.
“We edified developments after the April war—Caucasian united air defense system, Armenia-Russia joint troops, powerful armaments to Armenia with preferential conditions, as the April war uncovered certain vulnerability among the Armenian side. This will be taken into consideration, however, principles of Russian policy won’t considerably change. I don’t see anything unusual in it. As Russian authorities claim, if armaments aren’t sold by Russia, it’ll be implemented by another country,” Alexey Malashenko said.
By Araks Martirosyan
