Dependence of linkage in security matters from just one partner is just a strategic mistake. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said this in an interview to the Italian La Repubblica newspaper, answering the question whether Armenia is trying to become more independent from Moscow.

"Being independent means that you are less dependent for example in the security sphere, or it means security policies should be diversified.

“I will illustrate with a very specific example, which maybe in this context is not referred to, but we all, also the citizens of Armenia. I assume are aware of it, everyone knows, but when it is spoken, it assumes another value.

“Armenia’s security architecture 99,999% was linked to Russia, including in the logic of procurement of arms and ammunition, but today we see that Russia itself is in need of weapons, arms and ammunition and in this situation it’s understandable that even if it wishes so, the Russian Federation cannot meet Armenia’s security needs. This example should demonstrate to us that dependence of linkage in security matters from just one partner is just a strategic mistake. And after tasting the bitter fruits of this error post-factum, we are taking feeble attempts to diversify our security policy, including casting a different glance on own region, because it’s one thing when we in our region live under continuous confrontational logic with our neighbors, but say ok, someone will care for our security. But when in practice it comes to this someone to take care of our security, it turns out that this someone either does not want to or cannot ensure our security. These are realities which we have to confront with," he said.

According to Pashinyan, we confront very difficult realities both psychologically, ideologically, historically, and in terms of worldview.

"If you do not pass through these realities in the right way, it will mean losing independence. This is what I had in mind in the message I you mentioned. I have pondered long about if this should be spoken about publicly or not. But I have not seen the positive effect of not speaking about it publicly.

“It's just the opposite, I see that talking about it is very painful, but without talking about this, we could really lose our independence. Of course, not only speaking because it won’t work out only by speaking, but it is also necessary to speak. Let me tell you one thing: I think reflection is an important pastime, important instrument and formula that we need to continually look inside, into ourselves. If the questions raised get the same answers we had before those questions were raised, then it’s ok, we did everything right and we are doing everything right. But if it were to turn out that the old question in this new situation has a new answer, this is a situation we have to face," the Armenian premier said.