"Fact" daily writes:
Nikol Pashinyan's working visit to the Russian Federation, in the framework of which he participated in the "Innoprom-2026" international industrial exhibition in Yekaterinburg and had a private conversation lasting about one and a half hours with the head of the Russian government, Mikhail Mishustin, has given rise to intense discussions and various comments in the Armenian expert and political field.
Various, often conflicting opinions and analyzes are currently being heard about this meeting and its possible consequences, but the majority of analytical circles do not tend to see in all this just an ordinary economic component or a simple exhibition participation. On the contrary, according to many people, the real purpose of going to Yekaterinburg was another attempt at political trade and a unique "ostapbender", where the current government tries to solve the issues of its own political survival through mutual games and diplomatic manipulations.
Critics emphasize that the format of the reception by the Russian top leadership and the lack of direct dialogue with the Kremlin are already a clear proof that official Moscow is no longer given to such cheap political tricks, and the discussions taking place on economic platforms cannot hide the serious gap in the security and strategic spheres.
In the context of all this, the former Minister of Defense of Armenia, Major General Arshak Karapetyan, who in a conversation with "Past" sharply criticized the foreign policy of the current authorities, calling it two-faced and dangerous for the state.
According to the general's wording, Pashinyan's visit to Russia was not the result of a planned, balanced state policy, but a forced and frightened step, because he went there because he had no choice, when the promises from the West are not fulfilled, and the economic and security reality forces him to look back to Russia.
This visit once again demonstrated the bankruptcy of the current policy, because one cannot provoke anti-Russian hysteria inside the country, try to leave the CSTO, and then run to Russia to solve issues. The Major General emphasized that Pashinyan's government is trying to play on two fronts, hoping to deceive both the West and Russia, but such geopolitical trade is destructive for a small country like Armenia, which has serious security problems. In Russia, they understand very well who is sitting in front of them, and there they do not believe Pashinyan's smiles or assurances, because when during the day the issue of removing the Russian military base from Armenia is discussed with the representatives of the West, and in the evening they go to Russia and talk about cooperation, it is not diplomacy, but political ignorance.
Turning to the economic side of the meeting, the former minister reminded that Armenia's economy is almost completely connected with Russia and the EAEU market, and Pashinyan is well aware that even small economic restrictions by Russia can collapse Armenia's economy, which forces him to travel to Russia from time to time.
However, the biggest failure concerns the security sector, because due to the policy pursued, Armenia has lost the full trust of its strategic ally, but in return has not received real, practical security guarantees from the West.
The general concluded his thoughts by noting that as long as an unpredictable and adventurous foreign policy is implemented in Armenia, the country will continue to be under attack, and the last Russian visit did not and could not have any breakthrough results, as the trust in the current administration has been exhausted from all sides.
Details in today's issue of "Past" daily
