The Red Line 126 - Armenia’s Changing Relationship with Russia
Oct 24, 2024
In this discussion, Oleysa Vartanyan, a regional security analyst, Laurence Broers from Chatham House, and Thomas De Waal of Carnegie Europe dissect Armenia's shifting ties with Russia post-Nagorno-Karabakh war. They explore Armenia's quest for new alliances, like those with France and India, while still facing economic dependencies on Moscow. The panel highlights the complexities of Armenia's historical context, its reliance on Russian military support, and the ongoing geopolitical tensions with Azerbaijan, emphasizing the delicate balance Armenia must maintain.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Structural Dependence On Russia
- Armenia long relied on Russia for security, arms, and economic ties, creating deep structural dependency.
- This dependency constrained Yerevan's foreign-policy options and risked complacency in defence planning.
2020 War Revealed Limits
- The 2020 war exposed Armenia's outdated equipment and Russia's limited willingness to intervene decisively.
- Russian peacekeepers stepped in late, showing Moscow's selective engagement amid other priorities.
CSTO's Limited Credibility
- The CSTO functioned more as a Moscow-centered management tool than a reliable collective security guarantor.
- Armenia calling for CSTO support produced little practical defence, revealing the alliance's limits.