Russia Finds Itself Isolated Over Ukraine War As Armenia Flips To US
WASHINGTON, DC (IANS) – Armenia, a former state of the Soviet Union, has turned against Russia over waging war on Ukraine with its Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan saying his country’s alliance with Moscow was a “strategic mistake”, while launching military exercises with the US.
As Russian President Vladimir Putin finds himself increasingly isolated from the world over his invasion of Ukraine, launched in February last year, even countries that separated from the USSR and remained an ally are reconsidering their relationship, thus isolating the Russian President.
Putin finds himself increasingly isolated on the global stage. Last year’s invasion of Ukraine has left him with few friends, North Korea’s Kim Jong-Un being one of them.
Armenia has recently reconsidered its alliance with Russia as a “strategic mistake” and feels betrayed by its actions, reports said.
Armenia has been relying on Russia for its security. Its PM Pashinyan now considers this reliance a “strategic mistake”, as reported by CNN. He felt Russia itself needs weapons and can no longer meet Armenia’s security needs.
Not just Ukraine. Armenia is particularly concerned about escalating conflicts and tensions with Azerbaijan. The country feels betrayed by Russia’s inability or unwillingness to intervene in the on-going disputes between the two nations. Armenia has turned to the United States for joint military exercises, annoying Russia to a great deal.
Some analysts say that Russia is too preoccupied with its invasion of Ukraine. Hence, Russia’s unwillingness to choose between Armenia and Azerbaijan has effectively made it choose Azerbaijan over Armenia much to the chagrin of Pashinyan.
This passive stance is seen as a pro-Azerbaijani position, Armenian diplomats observed.
Armenia’s hope on a key ally has been shattered by Russia. Armenia had invested years, even centuries, believing Russia would fulfil its strategic commitments and defend them against foreign aggression.
“This belief has been shattered, as Russia has failed to act in 2020, 2021, and now in 2022,” media reports said.
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that no agreements were signed between Putin and Kim Jong Un during their recent meeting at Vladivostok. The five -hour meeting that took place on September 13 in Russia’s eastern Amur Oblast was initially believed to be an arms deal agreement.
Peskov clarified the meeting did not conclude with signed agreements and it did not cover any arms sales or any other matters. Putin also told reporters that the discussions were centered around cooperation in missile and space technology.
Peskov reiterated that an arms sale was not the objective of Kim’s visit to Russia, stating, “There were no such plans.”
The United States had warned that it would impose new sanctions on both Russia and North Korea if they entered an arms deal. South Korea also indicated on September 15 that it would consider further sanctions against the two nations.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) noted that Putin would need to be cautious in his statements about the Russia-North Korea relationship to avoid triggering additional sanctions, reports said.