CSR report: Russia needs to remain only between Armenia and  Azerbaijan

ArmInfo.In the frozen Karabakh conflict, Russia needs to remain only an intermediary between Armenia and Azerbaijan. This is noted in a report published on June 29, 

headed by former Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin, head of  the Center 

for Strategic Research, dedicated to Russia's foreign policy and 

positioning in the world for 2017-2024.

Russia also has to keep on with  efforts to resolve the Karabakh 

conflict, return to discussing the draft resolution of the 

Transnistrian problem. Further normalization of relations with 

Georgia, restoration of diplomatic relations and visa-free regime 

with Tbilisi, and the promotion of reconciliation between Georgia and 

Abkhazia and South Ossetia are needed, "the CSR report says. The 

authors of the report believe that Ukraine as a partner has been lost 

to Russia for a long time. And although Russia has reunited with the 

Crimea, has solved the problem of basing the Black Sea Fleet, blocked 

the long-term membership of Ukraine in NATO, all this has given rise 

to a number of new serious problems and Russia for Ukraine today is a 

strategic adversary.

According to the report, confrontation with the West is causing 

irreparable damage to Russia. Russia needs to overcome the 

backwardness in the development of the economy and governance 

institutions that threatens the sovereignty of the country, and 

participate in globalization. According to their estimates, despite 

the fact that Russia remains one of the most powerful countries in 

the world militarily, the country lags behind in a number of 

critically important areas, which, in turn, undermines the country's 

sovereignty and limits its foreign policy. According to CSR experts, 

Russia in relations with the West should focus on minimizing the 

risks of armed conflict, the gradual settlement of conflicts in the 

post-Soviet space, the phasing-out of mutual sanctions and 

discriminatory regimes, a return to full-fledged economic 

cooperation.

"Russia faces the most complex challenges of internal development, 

and from their decision will determine he future role of Russia in 

the world. Flexible and the country's pragmatic policy should 

contribute to a soft end Reorganization of international relations 

and prevent a new "era Extremes, "the authors of the report 

summarize.