Armenia would join Turkey if Russia raise prices!

[Joseph]

Armenians aspires to have normalized relations with Turkey, not become its ally. We are doomed to be neighbors but Armenians have no reason to trust Turkey. Armenians believed in the Young Turk revolution and look what it got them.

Russia is not the most altruistic ally but I would never make the mistake of underestimating them. As weak as they appear now they will reemerge and are no doubt starting to. Based on their commodities alone, Russia is becoming prosperous again adn eventually this will translate into all spheres (economy, education, military, etc.)

Case in point is Uzbekistan. They were part of GUAM and now have left that formation and are gravitating towards Russia. Same with Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. Whether the Central Asian countries like it or not, Russia will always be a neighbor and the U.S presence is only temporary. Turkey has made small strides in thr FSU but does not have the financial and political clout of the U.S. and Russia for that matter.

Basically, Armenia is wise to maintain good relations with Russia in tandem with the U.S. Although Russia is not the ideal friend, it is there for the long haul and over the long-term will benefit Armenia.

[imported_Armenian]

It is alway unpleasant to receive a price increase. However, Russia has been selling at subsidy... read loss.... prices for some time and cannot keep doing this forever, but as it is, their stated price to Armenia is still considerably lower than for non-friendly nations.

I am highly suspicious when people talk about betrayals, trying to cause division, especially at the outrageous suggestion or getting close to turkey. No politcal or economic expediency will ever make that happen.

Good post Anoush!

Also people need to realize the following: Although what Russia did recently is harsh, it is doing so to make sure Armenia stays within its sphere of influence. The Russians, who have been giving us very cheep gas, essentially threatened to raise the price of gas when Armenia and Iran signed a long term gas pipeline project. Needles to say, Russia want's Armenia's undivided attention and they also want to control Armenia's energy production.

Yes, they play harsh, but don't for once think that they want to abandon us to the filthy Turds across the border.

[Joseph]

Good post Anoush!

Also people need to realize the following: Although what Russia did recently is harsh, it is doing so to make sure Armenia stays within its sphere of influence. The Russians, who have been giving us very cheep gas, essentially threatened to raise the price of gas when Armenia and Iran signed a long term gas pipeline project. Needles to say, Russia want's Armenia's undivided attention and they also want to control Armenia's energy production.

Yes, they play harsh, but don't for once think that they want to abandon us to the filthy Turds across the border.

Despite the price hikes Armenia will continue to basically have warm relations with Russia. The Iranian-Armenian gas pipeline will eventually come to fruition and it won't matter as much that Russian gas prices are higher. Armenia seems to be diversifying there energy sources which will payoff (windpower, solar power, nuclear) in the long-term. Anyway, relations with Russia may not be perfect but I'd take them over Turkey any day.