Why are Lavrov and Lukashenko Unhappy?

By KRIKOR KHODANIAN

During his recent visit to Baku, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans to contact Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to brief him on negotiations with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. However, this diplomatic gesture was quickly overshadowed by accusations from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and offensive, anti-Armenian statements by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. These remarks threaten to further strain relations between Russia and Armenia.

Lavrov accused Armenia of “sabotaging” agreements regarding transportation routes through Armenia’s Syunik region. He expressed support for signing a peace treaty and unblocking roads but claimed that the Armenian leadership was undermining the agreements signed by Prime Minister Pashinyan. Lavrov is referring to the declarations signed after the 44-day war, which included commitments by Armenia, Russia, and Azerbaijan. While Armenia has fulfilled its obligation to withdraw troops from five adjacent regions of Nagorno-Karabakh, all other points of that same agreement were ignored by Russia and Azerbaijan making the agreements worthless and subjecting Artsakh to depopulation from its Armenian residents.

Yerevan has consistently maintained its willingness to open communication routes but insisted on preserving its sovereignty on its territory. The Azeri-Russian plan sought to pressure Armenia into providing an unchecked road through the Zangezur region to Nakhichevan, under Russian control. Lavrov’s frustration seems to stem from Azerbaijan’s recent abandonment of its demand for the “Zangezur Corridor,” thwarting Russia’s plans too. Armenia, having lost the Lachin Corridor to Azerbaijan due to Russian failure to uphold its commitments, is understandably unwilling to cede another corridor through its territory and entrust it to the Russians.

Belarusian President Lukashenko also expressed dissatisfaction with Armenia’s foreign policy saying, “Who needs the Armenians, besides us? Let them develop their economy. What about France, what about Macron. Macron will be gone tomorrow, and everyone will forget about Armenia”, suggesting that these relationships are brief and unreliable. Lukashenko previously asserted that Armenia had no choice but to join the Russia-Belarus Union State. Just as he erred in his prediction of the past, he will be disappointed again. Armenia not only found a place to go but also many advanced and democratic countries are by Armenia’s side today and are supporting it economically and militarily.

Currently, Armenia is developing independent foreign policies that are, focused solely on its national interests. This is causing frustration among leaders like Lavrov and Lukashenko.

For Armenia, maintaining sovereignty and fostering diverse international relationships is a priority, despite the disapproval of these two leaders. Those who are dissatisfied with it should change not only their attitude towards Armenia but also their offensive rhetoric.

“MASSIS”