Moscow either forced Armenia to join the Customs Union, or Putin made huge promises to Serzh Sargsyan; let’s say, he pledged to recognize the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh.   

David Phillips, Director of the Program on Peace-building and Rights at Columbia University’s Institute for the Study of Human Rights  in the US, told the aforesaid to the Voice of America Armenian service.   

Phillips stated that he was very much surprised by Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s announcement on Armenia joining the Customs Union. 

As for several analysts’ view that Turkey and Russia should assume a main role in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Phillips noted that neither Turkey nor Russia is impartial in this matter.   

David Phillips also believes that the Armenians and the Turks can find new avenues for reconciliation, and the some existing business relations and the cultural cooperation are positive and visible processes in this direction.