Russia and the Karabakh Conflict – 2018: Page 3 of 6

possibility of stabilization in the Caucasus and the beginning of the peace process over Karabakh.

Vadim Mukhanov - I will try to respond laconically to the latest theses put forth by Alexander (Podrabinek - ed.), which I disagree with. The Russian influence and presence in the Caucasus has been declining in the recent years, and this is taking place against the backdrop of a change of generations. I believe that linking the change in the political landscape with the Karabakh settlement, as well as making the torpedoing of the Karabakh settlement as a priority for Moscow seems to be a very naive approach, given that both Baku and Yerevan are guarding the Karabakh settlement from any encroachment ...

Alexander Podrabinek - Dear Vadim, what makes you assume that "the Russian influence and presence in the Caucasus has been declining in the recent years"? Look, for example, at the part of Georgia occupied by Russia. And what about the supply of weapons to Azerbaijan? The connection between the political landscape and the Karabakh settlement is quite direct, for any international settlement depends on the political will of the parties to the conflict. What is there to argue about?

Vadim Mukhanov - As for the arms deliveries to Azerbaijan, one can only ask a counter question here. Don’t democratic countries, in your terms, genuinely democratic countries not supply weapons to Azerbaijan? Or here, too, there is some criterion unknown to us regarding who can trade profitably with Baku, and who cannot?
Emin Ahmedbekov - Dear Vadim! Weapons are supplied to Azerbaijan only by those countries where there is no democracy, and I want to note that this is primarily due to kickbacks from each transaction.

Vadim Mukhanov - Emin (Akhmedbekov - ed.), I am not ready to become an arbiter in assessing the democratic character of this or that regime, but kickbacks exist and have existed regardless of the level of democracy, rather they demonstrated parallel existence ... Weapons are sold to Azerbaijan by a number of countries, including those in Europe, the Middle East, etc. It would be naive to speak of Russia's withdrawal from the arms market, when it already reduces its presence there every year.

Laura Baghdasaryan - I do not remember Russia reacting in any way to I. Aliyev’s steps of establishing his own and his family’s indefinite rule over the country for many decades and the harsh pressure of any dissent in Azerbaijan. Whereas the criminal charges initiated against the ex-president of the Republic of Armenia R. Kocharyan, who, by the way, firmly positions himself as a supporter of the resolution of the conflict without compromises, have caused Moscow's anxious reaction. Our participants have already spoken about this a bit earlier. But I have one more question in connection with these circumstances. Is Kocharyan as a figure a well-launched plot to put pressure on Armenia just in case, as a preventive measure? After all, it is well known that currently Armenia has two problems in its relations with Russia. This is the issue of sovereignty in decision-making and the