in Russian – http://crossroadorg.info/stepanyan-27-9-2022/
Arayik Stepanyan spoke on Russian policy in Transcaucasia in TV show “Point of view” on September 27, 2022. Host of the show – Dmitry Agranovsky.
Below is a video with translation in Russian as well as a text by “Crossroad”.
Video (5 min)
0:05 We see that the Americans, in their usual tradition (their known methods, and they are cooler than us – meanness, deceit, treason) are now setting fire to our borders and creating various smoldering hearths. This is Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, although there seems to be a good deal.
0:22 This is Armenia and Azerbaijan, and they also seem to have agreed there.
But Nancy Pelosi came to Yerevan to stir up a conflict. This must be well understood.
0:35 Participant’s remark: She also came to Taiwan.
Dmitry Agranovsky: Quite right. Remember, there was such an American term “zone of vital interests.” Isn’t it time to declare our post-Soviet space a zone of our vital interests and both Russia and China to openly say to the United States: “Americans don’t belong here and don’t go here at all.” Or come here only with our consent.
0:55 Arayik Stepanyan: You answered your own question. Since Russia does not say this, then they all come.
Russia currently cannot guarantee security…
Although Russia has agreements with Armenia both through the CSTO and through the bilateral line for the protection of sovereignty, also there is also a united army…
But when such a conflict occurs between Armenia and Azerbaijan, when there is a clear brazen attack by Azerbaijan on Armenia (not on Artsakh/Karabakh)… The city of Jermuk is a resort town and has nothing to do with Artsakh.
And when Armenia is waiting for an adequate response from Russia, then strange discussions begin in Moscow – they say: “Maybe Armenia itself provoked this attack?” Not only that, they also threaten and accuse Armenia, saying that it, Armenia, is to blame for everything.
2:00 They say that allegedly there is Russophobia in Armenia, although Armenia has never ever violated a single clause of the agreement with Russia. Moreover, has never ever violated not only for 30 years, but for one and a half thousand years of Russian-Armenian relations.
We see that Russophobia is NOT in Armenia, but in Moscow!
The goal of Russophobes in Moscow is to stir up Russophobia throughout the former Soviet Union.
2:20 How is it done? By creating Armenophobia, Ukrainophobia in different places in Russia in order to provoke a response in other republics – “counter” Russophobia.
In this situation, the Americans suddenly say: Armenians, Russia does not provide security for you. Don’t be afraid, we are ready to provide it to you.
2:50 You know, there is a huge Armenian diaspora in the US with a lot of influence. They see from there that Russia does not react to the direct attack of Azerbaijan on the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia. This gives rise to fear for Armenia.
They begin to call for people to gather there, to Armenia to protect it.
3:05 Although Pelosi, in her long speeches, said an important thing: “We understand that Armenia is part of this security arrangement with Russia. We are not suggesting anything about that.” https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1092845.html
This is a very important point. Otherwise, if she had been a completely bad person, she would have provoked the Armenians to withdraw from this agreement so that a complete chaos would then go…
3:27 Dmitry Agranovsky: If you take a broader look, why do Americans meddle in the zone of Russia’s vital interests?
3:33 I repeat, because Russia cannot defend territories within its sphere of influence and interests.
Dmitry Agranovsky: Russia can’t yet…
And if it can’t, then everyone and sundry will climb in there, including Turkey. Why is Turkey creating an army of Turan with its allies – for what? Against who?
3:48 Our Defense Minister Shoigu once said angrily: “Whom are you creating the army of Turan against?” https://lenta.ru/news/2021/03/17/turk_army/
Americans and British work very effectively there. And the Chinese work there too.
4:00 Now the Chinese are entering Central Asia. And the Central Asian republics are also afraid of a possible threat from China.
4:09 If we give up, we should not be surprised that different actors will begin to show their interests there.
Mr. Peskov once said that since the Americans want to help to ensure security, we don’t mind. Can you imagine?
So, excuse me – if you have such a policy and if you do not mind letting others into your zone of interest, then why be surprised, indignant and accusing someone, including Armenians that “Armenians sold out and betrayed, etc.”
4:42 Therefore, here we need to show a clear and tough line and show our ability to manage our former territories. If you do not do this, then, sorry, others will do it for you.