Turan Information Agency, Azerbaijani Opposition July 28, 2017 Friday Political scientist: "Russia will continue to pressure Azerbaijan" Baku / 07.07.17 / Turan: Tension on the line of contact of Armenian and Azerbaijani troops, and shelling has acquired a systematic character. It is not surprising taking into account that the "cold war" over Karabakh lasts more than 20 years, and there is no progress in resolving the conflict. This state of affairs does not suit Azerbaijan, which it clearly showed in April 2016 during the four-day war, having won part of the lands seized by the Armenian occupiers. Azerbaijani troops would have progressed further, if Russia "seriously concerned" with the military actions between the conflicting sides did not interfere. According to most political scientists, Russia will continue to support Armenia, using it as a means of pressure on Azerbaijan, and Russia's actions after the Sochi meeting of Vladimir Putin and IlhamAliyev confirm this. According to political scientist ElkhanShakhinoglu, partnership relations with Russia is very important, and therefore the periodic meetings of the two presidents are normal, but further events show the dissatisfaction of the northern neighbor with the outcome of the meeting: "I think that Russia tried to achieve certain steps from Azerbaijan at this meeting. Russia wants obedience from us, wants to turn us into Kyrgyzstan or Armenia. She wants Azerbaijan to become a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, it is possible that it is trying to achieve the deployment of military units on our territory. However, Russia's desires often run counter to Azerbaijan's national interests, and these interests dictate that Azerbaijan's energy resources go to world markets bypassing Russia. In addition, the northern neighbor does not like that the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway route will start operating soon and some of the Azerbaijani goods will bypass Russia to the West. No matter how much official Baku claims that it wants to maintain normal relations with Moscow, the wishes of the latter do not correspond to the national interests of Azerbaijan, and he is forced to refuse to Russia. Russia does not like this, and starts to make pressure." The political scientist explained on an example how Russia after the Sochi meeting is trying to achieve from Azerbaijan the desired: "Let's turn to the facts. First, the ceasefire violation became more intense, our soldier was wounded. Secondly, local clashes spread from Karabakh to the Azerbaijani-Armenian border. Thirdly, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian went to Karabakhimmediately after the Sochi meeting, and as if provoking Azerbaijan, he visited the occupied city of Kelbajar. Fourth, after the meeting in Sochi, the news spread that Russia through the South Ossetian separatists took control of part of the Baku-Supsa pipeline. Fifth, the Russian ambassador to Azerbaijan stated that they are ready to extradite Alexander Lapshin, who violated the laws of Azerbaijan, to Russia. Sixthly, a few days after the Sochi meeting, Putin ratified the treaty on the establishment of joint Russian-Armenian military units, which means that Russia became the mistress of the Armenian army. If we used to say that Armenian troops occupied Karabakh, now Russia has become a partner of Armenia in this. This is confirmed by the words of the Armenian general, who stated that they can use these combined forces in Karabakh, although it was previously noted that this is impossible. Objections from Russia to the words of the Armenian commander did not follow. " The political scientist also explained the reasons for the fact that Russia took control of part of the Baku-Supsa oil pipeline: "Azerbaijani oil, though in small amounts via the Baku-Novorossiysk oil pipeline, enters the world markets. However, this oil pipeline does not work even in half its capacity. Then why should Russia take control of Baku-Supsa? Thus, Russia is trying not to harm Georgia, but to influence Azerbaijan, because it knows that the main owner of the pipeline is Baku, which through it sends oil to world markets. I think that this is one of the ways of putting pressure on Azerbaijan. " E. Shahinoglu also touched on Lapshin's question: "Lapshin grossly violated Azerbaijani laws and the statement of the Russian ambassador about his readiness to extradite him is nothing more than a means of pressure. Russia thereby wants to say "you held a trial, sentenced him, and now give it to us." True, Lapshin admitted his guilt at the trial, but it is possible that in case of extradition to Russia he will not continue his provocations, he will not become one of the numerous guests of Yerevan and will not say about "torture" in the Azerbaijani prison. Personally, I think that we should exchange Lapshin for Kalbajar hostages. " The political scientist stated that it is becoming increasingly difficult for Azerbaijan to conduct a traditional balanced policy: "Baku is trying to maintain good relations with all its neighbors. However, if the development and strengthening of the country's economic, social, military potential goes through integration into Western structures, Azerbaijan, based on national interests However, if the development and strengthening of the country's economic, social, military potential passes through integration into Western structures, Azerbaijan, based on national interests, must choose the Western path. Russia, unlike the West, is not interested in the development of Azerbaijan. However, the Azerbaijani authorities are afraid that in case of straining relations with Russia, the Ukrainian and Georgian scenarios will repeat. However, Russia has already done all the bad things that it could - Karabakh is occupied. What can they do? I do not say that we should break relations with Russia. More than one million Azerbaijanis live in this country, our agricultural products enter its markets. Relations must continue, but this does not mean that we must fulfill all the wishes of Russia,"E. Shahinoglu said. -0-