Former National Assembly member Tigran Abrahamyan has commented on discussions surrounding the possible withdrawal of Russia’s 102nd Military Base from Armenia, saying that if the base leaves, the withdrawal of Russian border troops would also be a matter of time. He wrote about the issue on his Facebook page.
According to Abrahamyan, this raises the question of who would guard Armenia’s extensive borders with Turkey and Iran after Russia’s withdrawal.
“Pashinyan said yesterday that he has no objection to the withdrawal of Russia’s 102nd Military Base stationed in Armenia and that its presence in Armenia is not a vital necessity.
“Moscow maintains its military presence in Armenia not only through that military base but also through border troops.
“If the military base leaves, the withdrawal of the border troops will also be a matter of time. Moreover, it cannot be ruled out that Moscow will not even wait for an initiative from official Yerevan.
“Leaving aside the geopolitical aspect of the issue, I want to understand one simple thing: who will guard the extensive Armenian-Turkish and Armenian-Iranian borders after Russia leaves? Participants in military training camps? The ‘Defender of the Fatherland’ groups? Or conscripts serving shortened terms?” he wrote.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said in remarks to reporters after meeting Nikol Pashinyan in Bishkek on Sept. 1 that if Armenia believes it does not need the Russian military base, Russia is ready to withdraw it as early as tomorrow.
Pashinyan said that Russia’s military base stationed in Armenia was not discussed during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bishkek. He noted that the presence of the 102nd Military Base on Armenian territory is not a vital necessity.
