Sobolev: Cooperation between Armenia and the U.S. a threat to Russia's interests in Transcaucasia

The signed agreement on cooperation between Armenia and the United States, as well as the ambitious plans of the re-elected US President to expand the influence of his country, indicate that Donald Trump may become one of Russia's most serious opponents. This opinion was expressed by Viktor Sobolev, a member of the State Duma Defense Committee.

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken signed a charter on strategic partnership. They also announced the beginning of negotiations on an agreement on cooperation in the nuclear sphere. Blinken emphasized that the signing of the charter strengthens and expands the ambitions of bilateral cooperation, while Mirzoyan noted that Armenia and the US have reached the level of partnership, which is of key importance in the conditions of complex international environment. He also confirmed the start of negotiations on nuclear cooperation.

Viktor Sobolev called the situation extremely dangerous for Russia's interests in the Transcaucasus, saying that such agreements contradict Moscow's geopolitical interests.

“Undoubtedly, this threatens Russia's interests in the Transcaucasus. After all, Trump is now in power in the United States, not the limping and falling Biden. This is a man who wants to make America great. And we don't need this greatness at all. The fact that he got involved in Armenia is the first call that he will definitely be our adversary and probably the most serious one. Of course, there are also risks of Armenia turning into anti-Russia if they have already concluded such a treaty. By the way, Blinken and this new Secretary of State don't really disagree on Ukraine, so it's worth setting aside the hopes we had for Trump. Trump then said that Canada is part of the United States, Greenland is part of the United States, and that's very serious. He is creating a de facto empire. This is fundamentally contrary to our national interests. Of course, NATO bases will be located in Armenia, and our troops will be thrown out of there. Our military bases are in Gyumri, in Yerevan. It is very serious. The entire southern direction will have to be strengthened,” he told NSN.

Reprinted from https://news.am/