“Armenia-Turkey Protocols’ signing totally changed the geopolitical configuration in Caucasus. While the West was not that influential in the region before, it is now the main actor with increasing impact,” Russian expert of St. Petersburg Center for Middle East Studies Alexander Sotnichenko stated. According to him, presently these agreements were disadvantageous for Russia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. “I do not know what steps these countries will make, however Azerbaijan should intensify its diplomacy with the West. Turkey-Azerbaijan relations are likely to frost,” Sotnichenko noted.

Referring to Russia, the expert outlined that this step was a hard blow to Moscow’s influence in the Caucasus. “Actually, the reconciliation was reached without Moscow’s participation due to U.S. mediation and Turkish leadership’s readiness. The Protocols significantly lessen position of Russia in the Caucasus and the peace-support mission under the Minsk Group auspices,” Sotnichenko concluded.