Russian foreign minister to visit Armenia
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will arrive in Armenia today for a two-day visit.
The purpose of Lavrov’s visit today is to hold talks with Armenian delegates regarding recovery plans for Armenia’s war-torn economy and the repatriation of Armenian POWs. Yerevan’s economic and political stability took a hit following Armenia’s defeat to Azerbaijan during the Second Karabakh War, generating nationwide anti-government protests that triggered further instability.
As the mediator of the ceasefire agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Russia desires the South Caucasus to stabilize and to maintain its regional influence. Moscow will offer to increase Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh to preserve its interests. In an attempt to improve Armenian-Azerbaijani relations—Moscow may pressure Yerevan to approve Baku’s membership to the EAEU—despite Azerbaijan’s hesitancy, as Russia stands as a major competitor to Azerbaijan in the global energy market. Armenia on the other hand wants assurances that Armenian captives will return home safely before casting a vote on Azerbaijan’s prospective admittance to the EAEU. Therefore, it will compel Russia to exert pressure on Azerbaijan. Expect the bilateral relations of Moscow and Yerevan to increase in the short- to medium-term, as Armenia’s dependence on Moscow’s protection grows.
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