news.am, Armenia
Nov 7 2009

Russian elite backs NKR status-quo preservation: Expert

12:47 / 11/07/2009

Presently Russia is not at its height, thus possible changes in
Karabakh peace process can be against Moscow,’ Russian expert of
St. Petersburg Center for Middle East Studies Alexander Sotnichenko
said in an interview with Azerbaijani mass media, asked whether the
stance on Russia’s unconcern over NKR issue settlement is true.

`Apparently, Moscow as a regional power faces with some problems,
therefore most of Russian elite sides with Karabakh status quo
maintenance,’ Sotnichnko outlined.

Asked whether Turkey is likely to ratify Armenia-Turkey Protocols
without a breakthrough in Karabakh conflict, the analyst replied,
`Yes, I suppose Turkey will do so. It plays into Turkish policy and
economy hands. With border opening, Ankara might gain more leverage
over Yerevan.’