Needless to say, the new escalation on the border began with Yerevan’s provocative sortie. The military and political leadership of Armenia will bear responsibility for its consequences.
But one cannot fail to notice that Armenia staged another provocation on the border just amid another diplomatic farce performed by French politicians. Suffice it to recall that right the day before the mayors of Paris and Strasbourg, Anne Hidalgo and Jeanne Barseghian, accompanied by a group of “Armenian friends of France” arrived at the border with Azerbaijan to pose in front of trucks with the blatantly provocative inscription “aid to Artsakh” and to hold a press conference, voicing more of their anti-Azerbaijani insinuations. Before that, Emmanuel Macron announced his “initiative”, promising to “increase pressure” on Azerbaijan.
Now, it seems, the French “initiative” has borne its first fruit. Armenia must have read the French buffoonery as a signal for further armed provocations. This led to clashes on the border. Moreover, it happened specifically in the Kalbajar direction, where Armenian strategists dream of regaining control over the Aghdara-Kalbajar-Basarkechar road. Now that they believe that France has their backs, they have organized another armed sortie.
This means that not only official Yerevan, but also official Paris is responsible for the consequences of another round of armed provocations and aggression by Armenia. For the consequences of this “playing with fire” for Armenia as well. And the consequences will be painful. And yes, just like in the First World War, France will not fight for Armenia. France does not have enough troops even to defend its influence in its former colonies. It is Yerevan that will have to deal with the long-term consequences. The words “thanks to France!” may get a completely different interpretation.
