Within the frames of agreement on military and technical cooperation with Russia Russian air defence systems may be deployed in Armenia

• Tuesday, January 22, 11:34

 President of Russia Vladimir Putin's instruction to sign a military and technical agreement with Armenia is evidence of the fact that Armenia was and is the only strategic partner of Russia in the South Caucasus region, the leader of Centre for Military Prediction, Anatoliy Tsiganyuk, told Arminfo correspondent.

He said this is a positive tendency, as Armenia will be able to purchase military equipment for lower price. Moreover, they will also discuss the possibility of the air defence system deployment at the territory of Armenia. "The second not less important factor, that explains such a decision, is the situation in Syria  and the Iranian issue, which make the Russian presence in the region necessary. This may be provided through its partner - Armenia", - he
said and added that the forcing of signing of the above mentioned agreement by the Russian president is also conditioned by the Karabakh conflict, in which Russia is an intermediary and is for its peaceful settlement.

At the same time, he did not rule out that Putin's  instruction along with all above-mentioned is also an indirect proof of the Russian leadership's supporting the incumbent President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan on the threshold of the forthcoming presidential election in the country.

To note, on 14 January President of Russia Vladimir Putin endorsed the government's suggestion about negotiating with Armenia for signing of a contract on development of military and technical cooperation.