Political scientist Perendzhiev: Russia should become a mediator between Armenia and Azerbaijan 
gray zone and outline clear territorial boundaries in order to exclude provocations, says a military political scientist, associate professor of the Department of Political Science and Sociology of the PRUE. G.V. Plekhanov Alexander Perendzhiev. In a conversation with Lenta.ru, he added that Armenia is trying to blackmail Russia, drawing it into an unnecessary conflict.
Information about the military conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan continues to flow, seven Azerbaijani soldiers have already died, 13 Armenian soldiers have been taken prisoner, and 24 have lost contact. The peculiarity of the ongoing events, according to Perendzhiev, is that no mechanism has been developed to prevent provocations – according to him, this was not even the case in Donbass.
Blackmail and provocation
“If we remember Donbass, then at least they tried to dissolve heavy equipment, to make a gray zone. Here there is no question even of that. Most likely, various political forces in Armenia are trying to artificially delay this process, since the establishment of borders completely closes all territorial issues and restores the integrity of Azerbaijan itself. By the way, the security of Armenia itself is also increasing, but, apparently, territorial losses are more important for the country's elites, ”the political scientist suggested.
In Armenia, as the political scientist noted, the policy of revanchism is highly developed. And it is precisely the revanchist views that impede the peaceful settlement of the issue, the establishment of clear state borders, because as soon as an appropriate treaty appears, any provocations by themselves will lose their meaning.
“There is a serious danger here for Russia as well, because while fanning the border conflict, Armenia pursues another important goal: to involve our country in this story. As soon as provocations and battles begin, Russia is immediately called for help. Therefore, we urgently need to put the two countries at the negotiating table and try to at least work out rules of conduct that will prevent the further development of the conflict. This should be a tripartite agreement with clear definitions of the rules, tough work on border marking. Otherwise, shelling will continue and constant accusations that someone has violated someone's border, ”Perendzhiev is convinced.
Russia, in his opinion, needs to take part in this story in this vein … Otherwise, Armenia will continue to blackmail it with threats of joining NATO in case of refusal of assistance.
If the parties consider it impossible for themselves to conclude agreements at the level of heads of state, Perendzhiev considers it possible to sign agreements between the defense ministries of the three countries, which will bring such the same result.
“Instead of following the legal field and establishing a normal peace, Armenia wants revenge and behaves like a capricious child. But it is not even necessary to sign agreements between countries, the level of the defense ministries will be enough. Moreover, we have our own military diplomats there, “the political scientist suggested.