Unanswered Questions: Russia's Influence in Ex-USSR Amid Karabakh Crisis
Questions about Russia's influence in the former Soviet Union have arisen following the Karabakh crisis, as some Armenians blame Russia for not stopping Azerbaijan's advance. Moscow, in turn, blames Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and defends its behavior. The situation has strained Russia's clout in the region, where it views itself as having a significant presence but faces pressure from Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Iran. The killing of Russian peacekeepers and anti-Russian sentiment in Armenia have further complicated matters. Russia seeks to limit the damage by blaming Pashinyan and asserting that Armenia's options are limited without Russian support.