YEREVAN. – Chorrord Ishkhanutyun daily spoke with the former Deputy Defense Minister and former Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia, Vahan Shirkhanyan. Below is an excerpt from the interview. 

[Armenian President] Serzh Sargsyan expresses concern for the second time about the RF [i.e. the Russian Federation] selling weapons to Azerbaijan, but official Russia does not respond to his statements. Why those in the RF do not listen to Serzh Sargsyan’s concerns?  

I believe they will respond in some way. Perhaps the answer will not be in the public arena, but it definitely will be because two allied countries [, Armenia and Russia,] must not cast a shadow on their relations.   

There is truly a concern among the [Armenian] public. People don’t understand why [our] friend Russia will arm our enemy. But it must be understood that politics is another thing; a superficial approach is unacceptable here. Numerous problems, which are not outwardly apparent, must be taken into account.

I’m convinced, [that] Armenian-Russian relations can’t be shaken because of this trifle. And yes, selling weapons to Azerbaijan is a trifle because if Azerbaijan had not purchased weapons from the RF, it would have purchased [them] from Germany, France, [and] USA.