Russia's future conduct will depend on the development of the situation in the Ukrainian direction, Russian political scientist and expert on Middle East and Caucasus issues Stanislav Tarasov told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

According to him, it is very difficult to predict the Kremlin's position in the South Caucasus.

"So far we see the fact of double standards—and if you will, betrayals against Russia," Tarasov said.

Commenting on Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's recent statements about the possible recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan, the Russian political scientist gave a rather harsh and unequivocal assessment. According to him, Pashinyan, in fact, "swings" between Moscow, Washington, Paris, and Brussels.

"Well, let him sign [a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan]. Who is hindering him? Let him go to Baku and sign. So what? He is attempting to play, he attempts to defame everyone, and he spreads his ‘dirt’ on everyone. Well, get started! It is your problem. Solve it! Does he want to sign? Well, let him sign," said the analyst.

At the same time, Tarasov considers Russia's position on this issue quite normal. Moscow, as the political scientist noted, has never been against the signing of a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

"There is a feeling in Moscow that the Armenians, led by Nikol Pashinyan, no longer have anything to do with Karabakh ... Russia will protect the Armenians of Karabakh. It will protect them to the end. But is will decide these matters not with Yerevan, but with Baku," the Russian analyst warned.

He also pointed to the risk of cutting off communications connecting Armenia and Karabakh. Stanislav Tarasov considers the possibility of this quite realistic.