RUSSIA’S STRATEGIC GOAL IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH PEACE PROCESS IS TO INCREASE ITS POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC INFLUENCE IN THE CAUCASUS
arminfo
Friday, June 24, 18:32
Russia’s strategic goal in theNagorno-Karabakh peace process is to
increase its political and economic influence in the Caucasus, says
The Economist.
Russia has leverage over its ally, Armenia. Dominating negotiations
may be more important for it than a solution that increases Turkey’s
influence.
Turkey would indeed benefit from a peace deal, but its sway over
Azerbaijan is limited despite its big Azeri population.
President Medvedev has invested time and effort in what will be his
fifth trilateral meeting. Yet many experts who have watched these
peace talks fail repeatedly remain sceptical. The two countries’
semi-authoritarian leaders seem to prefer process to results and have
done nothing to prepare people for peace.