PapaDragon wrote: KoTeMoRe wrote: Russia is indeed holding back because it has the upper hand in the escalation process. That is a dangerous gamble. ...
They have no reason to escalate
Armenia clearly doesn't see this situation as too serious so why should Russia barge in uninvited?
KoTeMoRe wrote: Russia is being cynical wrt to Armenia and is betting on its current protector role AFTER this conflict. This would mean that Russia is expecting ARM population to reject Pash, while they might as well (and this is my opinion) reject an useless Russia (in their eyes).....
Armenian population can reject useless Russia and it would not cost Russia one cent
But they should be better prepared for all out war with Turkey down the road than they are for this tiny skirmish with Azerbaijan
KoTeMoRe wrote: What Armenians chose and what Russia's role in Armenia is are related, but also reciprocating. Russia can let Armenians get slaughtered and pretend it has its hands tied by legal concerns, but it clearly has issues with that approach given what it just did in Syria. ....
What the did in Syria furthers Russian national interests
Walking into the trap set up by EU and Armenians does not
KoTeMoRe wrote:Furthermore, I repeat the issue, it hasn't anything to do with Karabagh, but with the principle of quandary. Russia is not supposed to be the quandary of the region. It is supposed to be fucking Alexander and cut the Gordian knot. Here they literally are letting the Turks get into the negotiation table regarding Artsakh while the Minsk table is already FULL. ....
There is no knot to cut here
Karabah is rightful Azeri territory and everyone on this planet agrees, Armenians first and foremost
KoTeMoRe wrote: Russia doesn't owe at anyone anything, the same way Armenians do not owe Russia its two bases in Guymri & Erevan, which are literally tripwires vs Turkey. ....
Armenians are welcome to ask Russians to leave those bases (and to make accommodations for Turkish military which would take their place there immediately afterwards)
Fact remains that Armenia is acting in bad faith here and that Russia gains more by not getting involved
If Russians storm in now they will be vindicating current Armenian government which would use first available opportunity to again switch cams and blame Russia both for losses in NK and for acting like militant meddler
But if they wait and let Armenians taste their own medicine they get to have Armenia served on the platter with pro-EU elements removed from equation and to keep good relations with Azeris (who unlike Armenians were always upfront about what they want)