Le relazioni armeno-russe: storia, evoluzione e ragioni di un'interdipendenza strategica

This work is intended to analyze the relationship between Russia and Armenia on different levels. Chapter one will show the evolution of their common history, starting from the Tsarist era, when the Russians began to show their interests in the Transcaucasian region, where Armenia is situated. This chapter will then go through the effective Russian conquer of the region and will show which policies where pursued under the Tsarist regime and the Soviet rule, until the end of the USSR and the proclamation of independent Armenia. In the second chapter there will be given a general outlook of Armenia from its first years of independence. The main focus will then be turned to the evolution of its relations with Russia: it will be explained why these two countries are so tightly connected, which are Armenian needs and goals and which are Russian interests in the region. Along with it, the chapter will also analyze Armenian ties with its neighbors: Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and Iran. Despite the high level of dependence on Russia, Armenia has tried in these past decades to build good relationships with the West: a special focus will be given to the implementation of ties with the US, and, in particular, with the EU. Although Armenia was getting really close in the dialogue process with the EU, it recently decided to get the distance from it and reinforce its partnership with Russia. Reasons of this choice will be explained in order to confirm that Armenia is unlikely to separate from Moscow and its dependence on it will not decrease soon. In the last chapter, there will be given an example of an Armenian community in Russia, in the specific the Muscovite one. Special attention will be given to its role in the system of relationships between its motherland and Russia.