YEREVAN—In the wake of the criticism by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov this week over what he called “political” arrests of former Armenian leaders, the press in Russia began disseminating false information claiming that Moscow was backing away from its military commitments to Armenia.
Both Armenia’s Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan and Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin, who is visiting Armenia, have denied these reports and asserted that no agreements with Russia have been halted.
At the center of Moscow’s criticism is Yuri Khachaturov, the Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, who was charged along with former president Robert Kocharian with “breaching Armenia’s Constitutional order” by allegedly involving Armenia’s military in post-election protests in 2008 during which eight civilians and two police officers were killed when protesters clashed with security officers. Khachaturov was released on bail and Armenia’s chief investigator said that the case did not intervene with him continuing his duties as head of the CSTO.
At the same time, Armenia’s Foreign Ministry has applied to remove Khachaturov from his post and will nominate another candidate to fill the position.
“That information is not true,” Fomin, the Russian deputy defense minister told reporters in Armenia’s Monte Melkonian Military-Academy, one of the stops during his visit to Armenia.
Fomin added that a judiciary process was taking place in Armenia, when asked to comment about the Khachaturov case.
Similarly on Friday, Defense Minister Tonoyan said a $100 million loan agreement with Russia for the purchase of military equipment had not been severed.
“The arms supply is in process within the frameworks of the $100 million loan agreement,” said Tonoyan who was accompanying Fomin to the Monte Melkonian Military-Academy.
He stated that Armenia acquires arms not only from the CSTO member states, but also other countries.
The minister also presented details on his meeting with Russian deputy defense minister Alexander Fomin. Tonoyan said they have discussed issues of bilateral interest in political, military-political fields.
Tonoyan also told reporters that Armenia should continue the chairmanship of the CSTO until the end of its term in 2020.
“At the moment the issue of the candidacy of the CSTO Secretary General has not been discussed, but Armenia must continue its chairmanship until its term expires,” said Tonoyan.
The defense minister also told reporters that the situation along the Artsakh-Azerbaijan, as well as the Nakhichevan-Armenia border is under control and relatively calm.
The only entity benefiting from such rumors is Mother Russia itself. They’re sending messages to Armenia through state controlled media. In the word of Sir Winston Churchill,… “Great men are seldom good men.” …which fits perfectly with Russia’s perennial leadership.
The present Yerevan authorities must understand that good relations with Russia is important. Any confrontation will weaken and destabilize Armenia. More whatever Soros promised must be accepted by the new government. Just look what Soros is doing in Europr and the EU trying to destry the region.
This is a call to Peshinian for the sake of stability in Armenia to have a soft landing on past corruptions. Peshinian should stop acting like John wayne, corruption can’t be eradicated, he will see soon how corruption will stain his government.
Russia is not an ally or friend of Armenia. They sold us out when the Bolsheviks took over and continue to do so till this day.
Armenians need to find other reliable allies and military partners.
The best Military partner is self reliance. It will never betray. Also, Armenia is at a crucial moment to build bridges with the Kurdish struggle. We need friend on the ground that need us. A small Military or civilian medical surgical field hospital would go a long way to build relationships with the Kurds.
It’s time to come out of stone age.
All Soviet era corrupt fake politicians must go when Armenia’s new government dealing with Putin’s Russia!