Medvedev echoes Putin warning that Armenia risks becoming a “new Ukraine”
Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev has warned that a change in Armenia’s foreign policy course could turn the country into a “new Ukraine”. He made the remarks in an interview with the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting.
“As for the Caucasus, yes, certain states are now trying to stir things up there. They are seeking to divide the countries of the South Caucasus. That is true. We are watching this with caution,” Medvedev said.
As an example, he cited Georgia, with which Russia went to war in August 2008 during Medvedev’s presidency.
“First, the Western world offered Georgia NATO membership. Nothing good came of it. Georgia is still not a member of NATO. Its current leadership understands that this was apparently the wrong approach. All of this led to a conflict,” the former president said.
According to Medvedev, “our relations with Armenia are currently being put to the test”, while “the current Armenian leadership has decided that it is right to change the direction of its development. I am sure that this will not lead to anything good either”.
The Russian Security Council deputy chairman issued the following warning to Armenia:
“The worst thing that could happen to Armenia is its transformation into a new Ukraine.”
Medvedev’s statement effectively echoes the position of his political patron, Vladimir Putin, on the potential consequences of Armenia pursuing a European course.
On 29 May, following the Eurasian Economic Union summit in Kazakhstan, Russian President Vladimir Putin said: “We can all see what is happening with Ukraine now. But how did it all begin? With Ukraine’s attempt to join the EU.”
He said Moscow wanted Yerevan to make a decision on its foreign policy course as soon as possible:
“We would ask our Armenian partners and friends. And Prime Minister Pashinyan himself said that he plans, and considers it right, to hold a referendum on where Armenia should be — in the Eurasian Economic Union or the European Union. We would ask that this be done as soon as possible,” Putin said at the time.
