Russian will ensure Armenia’s security regardless of where the threat is from, RA Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan told RFE/RL on August 25, commenting on the Yerevan protocol prolonging Russian military presence in Armenia.

Under the previous agreement, the Russian military base was to defend both Russia’s interests and, in cooperation with Armenian armed forces, ensure Armenia’s security along the border of the former USSR.
“The basis for the new wording is strategic military, financial and economic planning, long-term investment policy in the military sphere, permanent Armenian-Russian plans to ensure the security of Armenia and of the entire region,” the Minister said.

As to the possibility of Russia’s support to Armenia in case hostilities resume in Nagorno-Karabakh, Minister Ohanyan said: “As regards possible threats to Nagorno-Karabakh, I should note that it is Armenia, not any other country that is guarantor of security of Artsakh, which gained independence more than 20 years ago. On the other hand, if a threat to Nagorno-Karabakh turns into a threat to Armenia, I am sure Russia will fulfill its commitments as Armenia’s ally.”