It is premature to speak of a formation of a new “Caucasus vector” in Moscow’s policy, a Russian expert said.
“In fact, Moscow should now intensify its peacekeeping efforts on Nagorno Karabakh, demonstrating “diplomacy of words” but not only of force. But is there a plan that could lead to an agreement on this extremely painful issue? Yerevan is not signaling readiness for compromise and in order to persuade its ally in the CSTO, Russia may need time. However, it remains to be seen whether Russia ever will do so,” said Alexei Vlasov, Russian political scientist and director of analytical programs of the International Institute of Post-Soviet Studies.
“Furthermore, how promising is Russia’s participation in the peacekeeping process on Karabakh without participation and support of other leading countries? Relations with the West may even oblige Yerevan and Baku to assume mediation.”
Mediation efforts of Russia and the United States, mostly play a decisive role in the resolution of conflicts in the post-Soviet area, according to him. “But the deeper are the differences between Moscow and Washington, the fainter are the hopes for combining efforts,” he said.
“I am pessimistic about this sense, especially if Republicans win the presidential election in the United States. The policy of “factoring Russia out” will continue, what means that no effective mediation would be possible. Unfortunately, the Nagorno Karabakh problem has been neglected so much that many years of joint efforts are required to break the deadlock while West’s intention to settle everything through “standard models” will do no good,” Vlasov concluded, Day.az reports.
