Vladimir Putin and Serzh Sargsyan. Kremlin Press Service
Moscow Times: Why Hasn’t Putin Intervened in Armenia Yet? (Op-ed)
Don't expect Russian tanks to roll into Yerevan anytime soon.
The resignation of Armenia’s Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan after more than a week of mass protests in Russia’s backyard begs the question: Why has Moscow not intervened?
The demonstrators bring to mind “color revolutions” in the post-Soviet neighborhood that the Kremlin seems to abhor, like in Georgia and Ukraine. But even genuine revolutions, which Armenia has not yet seen, are not enough in and of themselves to prompt Russia to intervene.
For Moscow to intervene in one of its Soviet-era satellites at least two conditions need to be present. First, Vladimir Putin has to see an acute threat to Russia’s vital national interests, such as the potential expansion of antagonistic Western-led alliances too close to Russia’s borders. Second, the chances for defending or advancing its interests through the use of force have to be relatively high.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: The above Moscow times Op-Ed is a good summary on why Russia will not intervene in Armenia. What is happening in Armenia is an internal situation driven by internal forces .... outsiders intervening will not be welcomed.
