The West, led by the US, wants to push Russia out of this region. Vardan Bostanjyan, Doctor-Professor of Economic Sciences and Professor at Yerevan State University, stated this at the international forum, entitled "New Horizons of Cooperation between Armenia and EAEU with BRICS and SCO," which is being held in Yerevan.

"I want to share my concern about the policy of the [Armenian] authorities. The West, led by the US, wants to push Russia out of this region. But we don't want that. We want guarantees of our country's security, opportunities for socioeconomic development," said Bostanjyan.

He reminded that Russia has made a huge contribution to the development of Armenia, while relations with the Armenian diaspora have not suffered at all.

"And now it turns out that some people don't like these conditions. We don't like that they suddenly turn us [i.e. Armenia] into a vilayet [i.e. an administrative division in Muslim countries]," continued Bostanjyan.

According to him, BRICS is not an alternative, it is the only direction for Armenia.

"Effective counterbalancing mechanisms have been created here that protect the subject's legal rights. Yes, Armenia is a small country. When Woodrow Wilson ‘gave’ us 160,000 square kilometers in 1918, his advisor wanted to tell us where Armenia is. And he responded, ‘Are you kidding? Why do I need to know where Armenia is?’ I want to say that the Russian Federation has created almost all opportunities for the Republic of Armenia. We understand that this is done based on our national interests. Based on that, some of our interests may be suppressed," Bostanjyan admitted, wishing that BRICS would turn into a platform that faces challenges.

"Armenia may end up in the role of those countries that show little support to BRICS, but are able to take advantage of the organization's positive aspects," the expert concluded.