Russia Extends Military Presence In Armenia through 2044

Asked if Russia would intervene in a conflict involving Armenia, Medvedev said: “Russia takes its obligations to its allies very seriously.”

Sargisian said the new agreement boosted Russia’s military role in the South Caucasus, a volatile region wedged between Russia, Iran and NATO member Turkey.

“Russia has taken on the obligation to jointly guarantee the military security of the republic of Armenia and to accordingly equip our armed forces with modern weaponry,” Sargisian said.

The deal “not only prolongs the presence of the Russian base in Armenia, but also expands the sphere of its geographic and strategic responsibility,” Sargisian said.

Armenian officials have said the deal will deter Azerbaijan from launching a new conflict over Karabagh. But analysts have said it is unclear whether Russia would intervene in a new war in the region, since the conflict would likely unfold in Karabagh and surrounding territories that are not part of Armenia.

At least 10 Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers have been killed in skirmishes over the region this year. Azerbaijan has repeatedly threatened to retake the region by force and in recent years has more than doubled its defense spending. Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman Elkhan Polukhov said that despite the new deal Baku expected Moscow to stick by previous commitments that Russian forces in Armenia would not be used against Azerbaijan. He said Russia had made such commitments when it transferred forces from Georgian bases in Akhalkalaki and Batumi to the base in Armenia between 2005 and 2007.