(Dan Tri) – Russia accuses the US of trying to open a `second front` against Russia in the South Caucasus region.
Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mikhail Galuzin (Photo: Tass).
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin accused the US of long wanting to open a `second front` against Moscow in the South Caucasus by intervening in regional affairs.
Mr. Galuzin’s accusations were made in the context that the relationship between Russia and the US is at an unprecedented low due to Moscow’s military campaign in Ukraine.
In an interview with RIA Novosti, the senior diplomat mentioned the tension between the two former Soviet countries Armenia and Azerbaijan that has lasted for decades regarding the Nagorno – Karabakh region (Azerbaijan currently identifies the region as Karabakh
The pro-Yerevan separatist government was officially dissolved in September after a successful large-scale military campaign by Azerbaijan in the mainly ethnic Armenian enclave.
Mr. Galuzin emphasized that whether or not to sign a peace treaty to end the conflict since the early 1990s is up to the two countries.
However, he asserted that Russia `cannot remain indifferent to what is happening in the South Caucasus`, recalling that Moscow has very close cultural and historical ties with the Soviet republics
He accused the US of not hiding its intention to consider the South Caucasus as a springboard to open a `second front` against Russia.
He emphasized that only countries in the region can determine their future, and said that no outside country can bring peace and stability there.
`Betting on magical Western assistance is delusional and dangerous,` Mr. Galuzin warned, citing Western intervention in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, Ukraine and the breakaway region of Kosovo.
Mr. Galuzin’s statement came in the context that the relationship between Russia and Armenia – which is still Moscow’s ally in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) – has worsened in recent times.
Armenia expressed dissatisfaction with Russia because it believed that Moscow had not made strong enough moves to support its CSTO ally in the conflict with Azerbaijan in Nagorno – Karabakh.
After Baku regained control of Nagorno – Karabakh, Yerevan also accused Russian peacekeeping forces of failing to protect people of Armenian origin in this land.
In recent times, Moscow has increasingly expressed disappointment with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who publicly said that the policy of relying solely on Russia to ensure Armenia’s security was a mistake.
Armenia has also pursued closer military ties with the United States, including holding joint military exercises.
On October 3, the Armenian National Assembly approved the statute establishing the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The Kremlin said that Armenia’s decision was `wrong` and that it would raise questions about Armenia’s `current leadership`.
