YEREVAN. – The important thing here is that this is the first time such a statement is made at such a level, according to 168 Zham (Hour) newspaper of the Republic of Armenia (RA).

“Such statement means that Armenia has either decided to take a tougher stance, or has received a ‘green light’ from Moscow. (…) Armenia will no longer go to any concessions. 

‘“Armenians, our boys, last year showed that they can show very strong, very solid resistance, and the Russians have to take this factor into account,’ France’s Strategic Research Center analyst, Doctor of Political Sciences Kayts Minassian, told about this in an interview with the 168 Zham newspaper correspondent, reflecting on RA Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan’s statement that, if needed, the Armenian side will use the [Russian] Iskander [missile] systems against Azerbaijan.

“Kayts Minassian noted that it became clear from all the recent statements by the Russian side that the weakening of Armenia does not serve their interests. Russia’s attitude toward Armenia changed a little not only by transferring the Iskander, supplying weapons to Armenia, but Russia’s attitude changed in a broader sense,” wrote 168 Zham.