Russia-Armenian strategic cooperation and its influence over Armenia's Security

Abstract

After dissolution of the Soviet Union, Armenia become independent state and ethnic conflict had started in Nagorno-Karabakh. Russia’s “near abroad” policy and Turkeys’ active foreign policy was challenge for post-Soviet states. This paper analyzes Armenia’s foreign policy starting from first president of Levon Ter-Petrosyan. The research has historical discourse of Armenian history which focus of World War I and covers Soviet history.

Genocide issue and battle for Nagorno-Karabakh remains one of the most important factor for Armenian nation. These issues has a symbolic importance for the nation and nowadays Yerevan persistently fights for genocide acknowledgment. Starting from first years of independence, the first president of Armenia, Levon Ter-petrosyan had tried to restore relations with Turkey, but he failed. Yerevan remained under strong influence of Russian federation and they are strategic partners as well. Moscow had achieved its influence in Armenia, after opening military base in Gyumri. That base has strategic importance for Moscow, if we glance to other post-soviet republics in South Caucasus, Georgia and Azerbaijan are free form Russia’s bases, they had already realized non-exigency of Russians. Military base of Gyumri is as a final bastion and serves Putin’s imperial ambitions in South Caucasus.

Research paid in depth attention on Russian-Armenian strategic cooperation, it describes strategic interests between them. In the same way paper describes importance of that cooperation for Armenia and Russian federation for Yerevan. Research paper underlines which factors had influence over strategic cooperation between them.