Russian expert: unlike Medvedev, Putin has no illusions regarding Karabakh conflict

PanARMENIAN.Net - Russian political scientist Andrey Ryabov believes Russia does not need escalation of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

AZE.az reports that leading specialist of the Institute of World Economy and International Relations, editor-in-chief of the World Economy and International Relations magazine of the Russian Academy of Sciences, expert of “Gorbachyov Fundation” and Moscow Carnegie Foundation Andrey Ryabov said that with Vladimir Putin back to the president’s post, Russia's stance to Karabakh conflict settlement will not undergo principle changes.

“Maybe, the three presidents will hold fewer meetings. Maybe, optimistic rhetoric will be cut. Medveded honestly believed that a bit more efforts will secure a breakthrough. I think Putin has no illusions in this regard. The process will be continued simply because it has only one alternative, and it is a very bad one, namely, the resumption of hostilities. Russia does not need such a conflict, be it either Medvedev or Putin,” Ryabov said.

In response to the question whether the expert sees any alternative to France as a Minsk Group co-chair country, Andrey Ryabov said the member state of the peace process no longer enjoys trust of a conflict party, and this cannot but be considered. “I do not see a solution yet able to reconcile the two parties. Given the situation, I think France should become more active and propose some new initiatives or at least measures to continue the peace process.”