The interdependence of the normalization of Armenian-Turkish ties and the resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will extend the final solution to the problems, Russia’s Vladimir Putin declared at the meeting with Turkish PM Rejep Tayip Erdogan.

“Taking into account that both Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and Armenian-Turkish issue are tougher issues separately, I don’t think involving them into one single package would be right done. It’s difficult to find solutions for them even separately. But if we accumulate them their resolution would be even more postponed,” Russian PM said. In the beginning of the new round of Armenian-Turkish ties Russia’s Putin statement is of great significance. First, official Moscow confirmed the disposition, in its highest level, that Armenian-Turkish ties should be settled without any preconditions. Second, the statement was made when Turkey’s PM Erdogan was present. In fact, Turkey’s PM has adopted a role of a state official who puts preconditions and gives certain promises to Azerbaijan. Hence, one of Russia’s leader’s definite disposition voiced towards this issue should not be underestimated. Prime Minister Erdogan’s the same request was rejected in USA also. It’s worth reminding that in December of the previous year, US President Barack Obama stated in his speech in Washington that ties with Armenia should be normalized with preconditions, and delaying of ratification of Armenian-Turkish protocols could contribute to adoption of Genocide resolution by Congress. If Washington threats were made unofficially, Moscow statement and the “yellow card” shown to Turkey was made officially. Russia’s PM’s statement is remarkable as Turkish and Azerbaijani mass media, as well as some Armenian media publications were making different previsions ensuring that Erdogan’s mission was to encourage Russia to make pressure upon Armenia and that Russia’s Sergey Lavrov had the same mission in Armenia. Hence, Putin’s statement rejected all those imaginary rumors. Currently almost everything is declared and it might happen that Russia tries to take the initiative of normalizing the conflict. Though states and officials involved in these processes have declared that Armenian-Turkish ties and Karabakh conflict should not be linked, Putin’s statement pointed out the danger of linking those two separate processes. “Interdependence of the processes could extend the resolutions.” Note that Armenia’s Serzh Sargsyan spoke about those dangerous but never pointed them, as being a direct side to the conflict the president’s statements couldn’t be appropriately treated but a mediator state could make such statements. Russia’s PM’s statement should be understood as an attempt to alarm Turkey to escape creating tougher situations in the region. One significant issue is put in the agenda – ratification of Armenian-Turkish protocols; and most probably Russia’s PM wanted to alarm Turkey that the reasonable time to ratify them is getting expired. Let’s hope that the forthcoming weeks will show whether Turkey caught the warning.