YEREVAN. – Russian-Azerbaijani relations have been somewhat pushed into the background, but the warming trends continue, 168 Zham daily reported.

“It is known what Russia wants from Azerbaijan at this phase: Membership into the EEU [i.e. the Eurasian Economic Union, in which Armenia is a member]. It is also known what Azerbaijan wishes in return: The liberated territories and Nagorno-Karabakh. It is also virtually known that Russia is, in fact, willing to ‘pay’ this price.

“Under these conditions, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko made a rather noteworthy statement the other day. ‘Belarus stands ready to contribute to pushing Azerbaijan’s interests in the EEU. Azerbaijan has been and remains a reliable friend and partner of Belarus,” he stated at the meeting with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, who was in [the Belarusian capital city of] Minsk on an official visit.

“That is, defending Azerbaijan’s interests, or assisting in their pushing, means violating Armenia’s interests.

“The meaning of this game is that Russia will attempt to exert pressure on Armenia—with its levers—for the return of liberated territories, and Belarus will defend Azerbaijan’s interests in the EEU, until the latter’s full membership,” 168 Zham wrote.