Russia won’t sell S-300 Favorit missile to AzerbaijanAugust 12, 2010 - 11:27 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia is unlikely to sell S-300 Favorit missile to Azerbaijan, as it can lead to escalation of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, according to Anatoly Tsyganok, head of military forecast center. “Such bargain can change the balance of forces between Armenia and Azerbaijan. If it’s struck, Armenia may also obtain missiles, possibly produced by Iran,” he said when commenting on the ongoing reports on purchase of S-300 Favorit to the amount of $300 mln by Azerbaijan. Commenting on reaction to come from Russia, Tsyganok said the 2008 scenario can hardly be repeated. “The situation is different. Although Armenia is Russia’s strategic partner, Russia will interfere in the military conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan only in case the latter strikes Russian base in Gyumri. Anyway, I don’t think Azerbaijan will dare such attack,” he concluded. Related links: Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. Russia: Armenia’s frozen membership weakens CSTO position in Caucasus A Russian envoy said any step that could alienate the CSTO member states from each other is “deeply wrong”. |