Iravunk daily of Armenia writes as follows: US Vice President JD Vance's visit to Armenia and Azerbaijan is expected in the near future. As to what to expect from this visit, Iravunk found out the viewpoint of political scientist Garik Keryan, Professor of the Department of Political Science at the YSU [i.e. Yerevan State University].

“Opinions vary greatly, since such a high-ranking official's visit to Armenia, if I'm not mistaken, has never happened before. There was a visit by speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi once, but I don't remember that there was a visit by the [US] vice president.

This is, of course, a serious political event. In many research, analytical centers, in political circles, one question is being discussed as to what is the purpose of this visit. Of course, there is also a diplomatic, state secret here, which can be known to one or three people in Armenia. But observing the visit from an expert point of view, I can say my opinion..

You know, quite serious efforts are being made on the Ukrainian front to stop the war. It is not ruled out that bringing the war to an end will be succeeded in the coming months.

Western strategists know very well that after peace on the Ukrainian front, Russia will again turn its gaze to other regions of the [former] Soviet space, since its influence has either weakened or has completely lost it.

It is no secret that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's ultimate goal has always been to restore Russian influence in the post-Soviet region.”