There is no direct linkage between Armenia’s recognition of Karabakh’s independence and launch of large-scale hostilities in the region, Ruslan Pukhov, Director of the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, told NEWS.am.

“However, this move may cost Armenia much,” he noted, adding that there are few countries that made similar decisions.

He brought an example of Russia that recognized independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. “Russia has giant resources and great political weight, thus it can afford such stapes, although there are certain problems,” Pukhov noted. He also mentioned Turkey’s recognition of northern Cyprus. “State with developed economy and great human resources, NATO member, having considerable weight it had strategic role in the region while recognizing Cyprus. However, we all know how it turned for the country,” the expert added.

According to him, Armenia is de facto controlling Nagorno-Karabakh and there is no need of taking such move. “The question is whether the consequences Armenia may face in case of recognition are desirable for this short-resourced country,” he emphasized.

As to possible hostilities, the expert considers that a third party always stands behind war. Meanwhile, today Armenia and Azerbaijan are “face-to-face”. He is confident that war will not break out in the near future, but it will definitely erupt one day.