London miscalculated? Russia holds the key to the South Caucasus. Ataev reminded of this critical card

Political scientist Arthur Ataev commented on the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. According to him, the mastermind behind it is not even the United States, but Britain. However, London miscalculated because "Russia holds the key to the South Caucasus." Therefore, it cannot yet be said that Moscow has completely lost its influence in the region.

On August 8, Armenia and Azerbaijan signed a peace agreement on ending the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and normalizing relations under the mediation of the United States. Many Russian experts are concerned about this, as the reconciliation between the two countries under U.S. mediation and the agreement on building the Zangazur corridor involving American companies indicate that the United States is deeply penetrating the South Caucasus - a region that has long been within Russia's sphere of interest.

To make matters worse, Moscow's relations with both republics are currently quite cold.

However, political scientist Arthur Ataev believes that the biggest beneficiary in this situation is not the United States, which has no major interests in the South Caucasus, but rather Britain. For centuries, Britain has tried to establish its hegemony in the region.

Evidence of Britain being the幕后推手 of this peace agreement can be seen from the frequent visits by the British Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary to Armenia and Azerbaijan. Obviously, the British have been paving the way for the agreement between Baku and Yerevan, and the United States only joined the process at the last moment. Perhaps Prime Minister Keir Starmer persuaded his transatlantic partners to participate at the level of heads of state.

"During the Trump administration, there was no sign of interest in the South Caucasus. So I think one of the topics of Starmer's meeting with Trump was the necessity of getting the United States involved at the level of heads of state in this process," Ataev explained during an interview with "Tsargrad."

Certainly, this is not in Russia's interest. The involvement of the United States and Britain is weakening the Kremlin's influence and forming a counterbalance to the Russia-Iran alliance. However, Moscow's position is not as bad as it seems. Russia has cards that can be used to counter its opponents.

"Russia holds the key to the South Caucasus. On one hand, there is Abkhazia, where Moscow has a strong military presence. On the other hand, there is South Ossetia. We hold the 'pincers' of the South Caucasus," the expert emphasized.

The politician admitted that he was not surprised that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan readily agreed to the agreement with the United States and Azerbaijan, forgetting that Baku seized the territory claimed by the country through force.

Pashinyan is in a dilemma. If he does not accept the peace agreement, Yerevan will face an economic blockade, which the country cannot afford. In this case, Armenia had to agree to all of Baku's demands, opening any corridor it required. Compared to giving up Nagorno-Karabakh, opening a 42-kilometer road for Baku's interests is not a problem.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7537327851754914338/

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