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Russian expert: "The United States is interested in the opening of Khojaly airport"

20 February 2013 13:37 (UTC +04:00)

Moscow. Farid Akberov – APA. “Russia may join the Nagorno Karabakh war on the part of Armenia within special agreements,” said Russian political scientist, Director General of the Institute for Caspian Cooperation Sergey Mikheyev in his interview to APA’s Moscow correspondent. He said Russia should have ground to join the war, in case of military operations in Nagorno-Karabakh: "However, Moscow has repeatedly stated that Russia is interested in a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict."

The political scientist said that by increasing military power in Armenia, Russia is ensuring its geopolitical interests in the region: “Today Russia is arming not only Armenia. Armenia is not the only country possessing Russian military base and purchasing its weapons. Russia is also arming Tajikistan in the Central Asia. This plan is an integral part of Russia's geopolitical interests.”

The expert considers that war in Nagorno-Karabakh would be a disaster for the South Caucasus region. This war can also upset the long-term energy and transport projects: “Russia is not interested in a war in Nagorno-Karabakh. If interested, it would have started a war in Nagorno Karabakh long ago. To start a war in Nagorno-Karabakh is not difficult for the Moscow. Today the priority for Russia is the absence of wars and conflicts along its borders.”

Sergey Mikheyev said Russia has nothing to do with Armenia’s intention to open Khojaly airport. “The US is more interested in the opening of this airport. Russia considers that Azerbaijan and Armenia must avoid the steps that will cause a war in Nagorno Karabakh. Russia does not regard as right the opening of Khojaly airport, while the US is strongly interested in the operation of the airport. This interest arises from the possible military operations against Iran. If the war starts with Iran, Khojaly airport will be favorable for the US,” he said.

Asked if something new can be expected in the resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict during Serzh Sargsyan's second term, Sergey Mikheyev said: “Sargsyan’s re-election will have no impact on the resolution of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The state of the negotiations on the conflict will remain unchanged. Not a step forward has been made in the past 20 years, because the positions of the parties are quite the contrary. The negotiations on the resolution of the conflict have reached a deadlock. I do not believe there will be an improvement in the near future,” he said.