Boris Shmelev, Chief Researcher at the Center for Post-Soviet Studies and Head of the Political Studies Sector at the Institute of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), commented to Alpha News on the EAEU countries’ report on the consequences of Armenia’s withdrawal from the organization and the Armenian authorities’ reaction to it.
According to the expert, Nikol Pashinyan is pursuing a multi-vector policy, seeking to gain economic benefits simultaneously from Russia, the EAEU and the West.
“Within the multi-vector policy he is essentially pursuing, Pashinyan wants to get money from Russia, the EAEU and the West alike. In other words, he wants to sell his geopolitical position at a higher price to Russia, the EAEU and the West. This is a purely mercantile mindset, and he is trying to profit from it. It is hard to say today where this will lead, but it is quite obvious that if he does not stop in time, he will face difficulties in trade with the EAEU and, above all, with Russia. The first signs of such difficulties were already shown to him in the summer, when access to the Russian market was closed for vegetables, fruit and cognac. The problems will deepen, because Armenia will be unable to replace the Russian market. France, Italy, Greece and so on are far away, and they have no need for these Armenian fruits, vegetables and strawberries. Nor do they need the cognac,” Shmelev said.
In Shmelev’s view, Armenia’s attempt to benefit from two geopolitical directions at once may ultimately result in losses for Nikol Pashinyan.
“As for investment, yes, the West can in principle provide such investment, but Armenia also receives investment from Russia. So in this struggle to benefit from both sides at once, I think Pashinyan will most likely lose out on balance,” Shmelev concluded.
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