History shows that whenever Russia and Turkey get together, they aim to negotiate Armenia’s interests and Armenia’s lands as the object for improving their relations. Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, has officially announced about Russia’s readiness to join the Union of Turkish Countries. Turkey and Azerbaijan Republic have made it clear that the prize for Russia’s integration to the Turkish Union is Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Republic. Russia, was initially trying to make Turkey and Azerbaijan Republic part of the Russo-Turkic Eurasian Customs Union, after worsening their relationship with Belorussia is trying to rebuild the relationship with Turkey.
Recently Turkey’s President, Erdogan, visited Russia’s President, Putin, and during a joint news conference, Putin stated that Turkey and Russia work on problems throughout the world. This followed by Turkey warning the USA for getting in between the Turkish troops and the Kurdish troops in Northern Iraq and Kurdish controlled Northeastern Syria. Turkey’s warning about their readiness to shoot at the American troops, is a threat to the security and safety of the U.S. troops and the allies in Iraq and Syria. That could be what Putin and Erdogan had agreed to do earlier in Russia – undermining the USA.
Speaking of undermining the USA, Russia undermined the other Co-chairmen of the Minsk Group in charge of resolving the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) peace negotiations. Russia, as the third Co-chair of the Minsk Group, transferred another set of weapons to Azerbaijan Republic. This type supplying arms to Azerbaijan Republic is a threat to Armenia’s national security. The other Co-chairs, USA and France do not sell weapons to Azerbaijan Republic, but Russia does, which makes Russia a directly involved and interested party in the Artsakh Conflict; therefore, not fit to continue being a part of the Minsk Group Co-chairing the peaceful resolution. The Foreign Minister of Russia, Sergei Lavrov, arranged for a separate meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan Republic and Armenia in order to force the Russian proposal for the Artsakh Conflict; thus, Russia undermined the Co-chairmen of the USA and France. Despite the fact that Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan Republic, and his General of the Border Patrol Forces ordered the shooting and bombing of the Armenian border positions, which killed another Armenian soldier, and made verbal threats to conquer Armenian lands, Armenia’s Foreign Minister met with Russia’s and Azerbaijan Republic’s Foreign Ministers, when there were so many reasons to decline meeting with them. No agreement was reached and no documents were signed, and two more Armenian soldiers were killed on the border by the enemy fire.
As if the above stated events were not enough, Putin’s trusted man, Aleksandr Dugin, the man who created the idea of creating the Eurasian Customs Union, visited Baku. Dugin placed flowers to the graves of the fallen askers, who were killed during the invasion of De Facto independent (although De Jure not recognized) Artsakh Republic in April, 2016. Dugin went to Baku to negotiate with Aliyev what it would take for Azerbaijan Republic to join the Eurasian Customs Union. Aliyev’s answer was obviously – Artsakh. Dugin made an announcement, which Armenians don’t agree with and we don’t care what he thinks.
Our question to Dugin, to Putin, to Markov, and to the rest of Russia is – When will Russia return Crimea and Donetsk to Ukraine, Kaliningrad to Germany, Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands to Japan, Manchuria to China, Artsakh, Nakhidjevan, Kars, and Ararat Mountain to Armenia, Krasnodar to the Circassians, and other lands to others? Our question to Aliyev is – When will the Azerbaijan Republic return Nakhidjevan, Getashen, Martunashen, Shahumyan, and recognize the independence of Artsakh (Karabakh)? Our question to Erdogan is – When will Turkey return Western Armenia and Kilikia to Armenians? How dare you speak and disrespect us?
If Dugin is stating what Kremlin wants, then Russia has an Armenian Problem. Only Russia and Turkey have officially stated that they want Armenia without Armenians and their actions backed what their mouths said. No matter how much the Kremlin’s agents with Armenian names say that without Russia Armenians are doomed, the evidence proves the contrary. Russia left Armenia in 1918 and Armenians defeated the Turkish armies at Bash-Aparan, Karakilisa-Vanadzor, Zangezur-Syunik, Sardarapat, Kars, and Karakilisa. Russia returned and Armenia lost lands and people. Russia left Armenia in 1991 and 1993 and Armenians defeated the Russo-Turkish armies of the 104th Russian Division and the Azerturkish OMON, including mercenaries from Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, Afghanistan, and other Turkish speaking countries. Armenians defeated them all. The War for Artsakh started the break up of the USSR because the Russians started an Armenian Problem. Now the Russians are back and they are repeating the same mistake. Another friend of Putin? Sergey Markov, said that Russians did not forgive the Armenian nationalists for Karabakh (Artsakh), which destroyed the USSR. If the Russians want a problem, then the Russians will have a problem with the Armenians. A problem with Armenia means a problem with the Armenian Diaspora, too. If Russia can use its weapons and its soldiers against Armenia, Armenian Diaspora will take retaliation against the Russians throughout the world keeping the Russians in fear. If Dugin cannot understand what it means to upset the Armenians, then someone in Kremlin should advise him about the consequences and about the probable destruction of the Russian Federation. Russia does have an Armenian Problem and it is up to them if they want to escalate it and start the inevitable war. If Russia makes a move against the Armenians, a retaliation will follow as a consequence. Go ahead and try our will…
Garegin Nalbandian
Geopolitical Club – Los Angeles