David Petrosyan: Russian troops will not be protecting NKR in case of resumption of hostilities

PanARMENIAN.Net - Political analyst David Petrosyan said that introduction of amendments to the agreement on Russia’s military base stationed on Armenia’s territory is a sort of Russia’s compensation for the possible sale of S-300 defense complexes to Azerbaijan. Russia wants to keep the existing military and political balance in the region through it, Petrosyan told a sitting of the committee on foreign relations of the national parliament, which is in the process of formation at the initiative of Sardarapat movement.

The expert noted that renewal of the agreement on military base runs counter to Russia’s sale of defense complexes to Azerbaijan.

According to Petrosyan, the agreement’s provision, under which the Russian troops will protect not only Russia’s interests but also Armenia’s territory, will not be in effect in case of resumption of hostilities in Karabakh. “The Russian troops will not be protecting NKR, as Russia officially considers this territory to be a part of Azerbaijan,” said Petrosyan.

Referring to the efficiency of the Russian military base in Armenia, the political analyst noted that it has a political importance rather than a military one. “The Russian troops, the number of which does not exceed 5000 people, in fact, are unable to solve military tasks, including against Turkey,” concluded Petrosyan.