Epress.am News from Armenia
As long as Russia is not yet neutralized by global economic, diplomatic, and other sanctions, there can be no talk of peace in Karabakh, said Azerbaijani political analyst Vafa Guluzade in an interview with Contact.az [RU].
"Moreover, there is a danger that Putin, seeing the impunity with regard to Ukraine, might also initiate provocations against Azerbaijan, as long as our country is open to attack from three sides. At one time, there were fears in our press that Russia is increasing its forces in the North Caucasus. Already a 70,000-strong 'fist' has been created here. On the other hand, Russian warships have already tested a route from Astrakhan to Baku. The Russian Navy in Astrakhan has been modernized.
"Russia can arrange any provocation in Azerbaijan — there is a fifth column here. That's why back in 1998 I suggested establishing a NATO base in Azerbaijan, knowing how vulnerable we are," he said.
Asked whether he expects any changes, Guluzade said: "I don't expect any changes in the Karabakh issue. The Russian occupation of Crimea was due to the modernization of the Russian army and the use of modern technologies of information warfare.
"How can the West settle the Karabakh issue, what has changed in its approaches to the issue? Absolutely nothing.
"The West, of course, through economic sanctions is capable of bringing Russia to the point where it renounces expansionist policies and makes concessions in the South Caucasus. But do Western politicians want to do this under the circumstances of the deepening of the economic crisis in Russia (a country that is armed with a myriad of nuclear warheads)? That is the question."