December 2, 2016 - 17:10 AMT
Stratfor. Armenia questioning its steadfast loyalty to Russia

Armenia came to question its steadfast loyalty to Russia when fighting with Azerbaijan over Nagorno Karabakh erupted anew in April, a Stratfor article published Thursday, December 1 said.

Azerbaijan on April 2 launched overt military offensive against Karabakh, during which hundreds were killed on both sides. The parties reached an agreement on the cessation of hostilities on April 5.

"The feud escalated perhaps in part because Russia was too distracted at the time with the conflicts in Syria and Ukraine to intervene," the article said.

"If the West offers Moscow fewer challenges under new administrations in the United States and Europe, however, it will be in a better position to assert its authority as the dispute’s primary arbiter."

Following the escalation in spring, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said the country wasn't happy with Russia selling arms to Azerbaijan. Moscow responded, in turn, that it will further sell arms to Baku as part of military cooperation.