Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said he believed that Moscow could no longer exert influence on Azerbaijan, adding that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine meant that Armenia could not continue to rely on Moscow as the guarantor of its security.
Last week, the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the Armenian ambassador to issue “a strong note of protest over Yerevan’s hostile actions”, following its decision to send humanitarian aid to Ukraine for the first time, as well as the announcement that Armenian troops would participate in joint exercises with the US military.
Taken together with the ICC opening from yesterday, it seems like a pretty profound realignment.
Usually this would get you a swift visit from the VDV and other assorted friends, but I guess they’ve seen the limits of Russian power and are willing to take their chances.
Let’s see if it works out for them.