Russia, providing Armenia with a loan worth $200 million to buy modern weapons, violates its obligations as an OSCE Minsk Group co-chair, said Arzu Nagiyev, a political analyst and deputy director general of Trend Agency.
In late 2015, Russia and Armenia agreed on allocation of a $ 200 million loan to Armenia for the purchase of modern weapons. The Armenian government approved the first $100 million loan package Oct. 12, 2017.
Under the agreement, a $100-million loan will be extended to Armenia for 20 years.
Nagiyev noted that Russia openly shows that it does not respect the principle of neutrality by providing comprehensive support to one of the conflict sides.
The expert pointed out that in the current economic situation, Armenia will not be able to repay the loan.
“Russia is equipping Armenia with modern weapons and tries to strengthen military potential of the occupant country. Arming of Armenia by Russia is contrary to the principles of strategic partnership, friendship and good-neighborliness with Azerbaijan. It is obvious that Russia is not at all neutral in the settlement of Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,” he said.
Nagiyev added that arming Armenia, Russia flagrantly violates the requirements of international law.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.
The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.