Russia, in the person of the reasonable part of its leadership, is trying to maintain its presence and influence in the Caucasus. It's important for Russia to prevent destabilization in the North Caucasus, deployment of NATO military bases and projection of military force inland, first vice-president of the Academy of Geopolitical Studies, Colonel General Leonid Ivashov stated in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

In his words, Armenia is Russia's monument point in the South Caucasus. "At the same time it's vitally important for Armenia to have allied relations with Russia. If Armenia relies on promises made by the West it will lose its state system and independence," Ivashov said. He remarked that Armenia has the right to establish relations with whom it wishes. "But if it conflicts with Russia's interests it can transform cooperation into the level of mutually beneficial relations without any political or economic preferences. However such situation will conflict with Armenia's national interests and result in the isolation of the republic and even in its collapse," the Russian scientist said.

Leonid Ivashov reminded that numerous Armenian Diaspora lives in Russia. "I think it could make a great contribution to the development of the Russian-Armenian allied relations," he noted.