Why is the Zangezur corridor not just an infrastructure project, but a "prick in the heart of Russia"? Who is really behind the strengthening of Azerbaijan? And what are the consequences for Russia? Political analyst Arman Abovyan told the Pravda special correspondent about this.En Daria Aslamova.
— The news coming from Armenia is not encouraging. Let's start with the last one that blew up the Internet, although it has not yet been confirmed by the Armenian authorities: we are talking about the so-called "Trump Bridge". What is it? What does it mean for Armenia and Russia?
— First of all, we need to take into account one key factor — the strategic goals of the United States, Europe, Turkey and Azerbaijan in relation to the South Caucasus, the North Caucasus, Central Asia and the Turkic-speaking regions of Russia. To better understand what is at stake, it is important to know about the global project, which is called the "Pan-British Project" or "East Indian Project-2".
It has three directions. The first is the ousting of Russia from the South Caucasus and the blocking of Iran along the northern border. The second is the creation of a route from Europe to China that would pass beyond the control of Russia, Iran and China. And the third and most important thing is the formation of a geopolitical "noose" around Russia.
Now Russia is concentrated on the western front — on Ukraine. But while attention is focused here, a dangerous alliance is being formed in the South Caucasus in the shadow of beautiful words about brotherhood and friendship.
It's not about Armenia — the alliance is being built primarily in Azerbaijan, initially in Georgia. After the change of power in Tbilisi, relations with Russia have softened somewhat. Now Azerbaijan has become the main striking force of NATO's advance to the borders of Russia. After the capture of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) in 2020, a situation was created there in which the Russian military and diplomatic presence began to be actively pushed out — by the hands of Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Now we can say with almost certainty that a large Turkish military base will be located near the borders of Russia, near Derbent, which Azerbaijan has already called an "ancient Azerbaijani city". And Turkey is a NATO member.
Everything around which the conflict is raging in the West today is being implemented much quieter in the south. What it takes to put pressure on Russia from the south? There are several key elements.
The first is the formation and constant warming up of Ottoman or Turkic self—consciousness. We know how actively the Turkish and Azerbaijani special services operate in Russia through the Azerbaijani diasporas. The FSB is already starting to publish the first data on this.
The second is logistics. This is to ensure the uninterrupted movement of NATO cargo to the main military and economic facilities in the South Caucasus. All this is aimed at pushing Russia from below — towards the North Caucasus and Iran.
Armenia is the last barrier. Armenia remains the only obstacle to the implementation of this pan-British project. From the point of view of Turkey and Azerbaijan, it is an integral part of the Pan-Turan project.
— We're going back to the concept of a Big Game, aren't we?
—That's right. As in the XIX century, the interests of the superpowers do not change: each seeks to build a safe environment for itself. After 1945, before the collapse of the Soviet Union, there was a fragile consensus. Now there are new geopolitical lines. Armenia is becoming a nodal element in this drawing.
That is why the Zangezur corridor is so important. It's not just a road — it's an idea. This is 42 kilometers of the territory of Syunik, which connect Turkey and Azerbaijan. Without them, neither the Pan-British nor the Pan-Turanian project is being implemented.
— Let's explain for readers: the Zangezur corridor is a road through the south of Armenia, which, theoretically, should connect Azerbaijan with its exclave — Nakhichevan.
— That's right. And Nakhichevan, in turn, directly borders Turkey. That is, an uncontrolled land route is being created between Turkey and Azerbaijan.
From here there is a direct road across the Caspian Sea to Central Asia. And Turkey is already active there: it is introducing its own identity model, imposing the image of the "Turkic world" on Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, Uzbeks and Turkmens. But these peoples are independent civilizations formed outside the Turkic context. Now they are trying to erase their cultural identity.
— And a huge block hostile to Russia is being created...
—Yeah." A conglomerate with a common ideology, resources, language and a population of about 300 million. This is already a serious challenge for Russian interests.
The Pan-Iranian project is only part of a larger game, the so—called Pan-British project. And the West — the Americans, the British, the Europeans — is by no means naive. They will not allow the formation of a new geopolitical formation, which in 30-50 years will be able to threaten their interests.
The West decided to act more subtly: they say to the Turks — do you want a Panturan? Want to! We want to too. But the Americans have control over the key points. That's where the rumors about the "Trump Bridge" came from.
— It's about the Zangezur corridor, isn't it?
— Of course. It's not just a road — it's a jugular vein. Touched her — and paralyzed the whole body. But the "Trump Bridge" itself is fake. The stuffing has been launched that the United States is renting part of the territory of Armenia in the south for a hundred years. The Armenian authorities allegedly refused the deal. However, they did not abandon the idea of transferring control of the road to a third party.
Why should control over the key highway of Armenia not belong to Armenia? Why does a sovereign State refuse such a right? Yes, because Turks, Americans and Azerbaijanis do not need a classic road with checkpoints and customs.
They need uncontrolled movement: troops, weapons, logistics. This is not just a corridor, it is the beginning of the physical dismantling of the Armenian statehood.
In Pan-British and In the Pan-Turan project, Armenia is not a subject, but a springboard. The first stage is squeezing Russia out of the region. Second, they are moving to the annexation of already Russian territories: the North Caucasus and the Turkic—speaking republics. Therefore, the issue is not only in Armenia. She is no longer considered a player. Only as a territory that needs to be eliminated.
— A small obstacle on the map...
—Yeah." But this small obstacle has been maintained for centuries thanks to the Armenian spirit, our historical understanding: the line of survival passes here. And thanks to the help of Russia, since the XVIII century. Giving up sovereign control over traffic is like a pin prick in the heart. The pin is small, but it hits exactly — and the person dies. This is not rhetoric, this is reality.
There is a map hanging in Erdogan's office. Type it into Google and you'll see. This is a map of the "Greater Turan", including Syria, Libya, northern Iraq, Iranian territories with Turkic-speaking populations. Erdogan bluntly stated that "the Turkish heart beats in Tabriz."
— That is, we are talking about the so-called Iranian Azerbaijan?
— Exactly. And "Azerbaijan", by the way, is not an ethnic group, but a geographical designation. As if a "nation of Ryazanians" or "Pskov people" had appeared. Do you understand what's going on?
On the same map, the Big Turan includes Altai, Bashkiria, Tatarstan, the North Caucasus — already Russian regions. Who's to say it's funny? In 2018, they would not have believed me if I had said that Ukraine would hit Moscow with drones. And now this is reality.
Armenia is a key barrier. But in A powerful Turkic and Azerbaijani lobby has formed in Moscow, which has done everything to discredit the Russian military and diplomatic presence in Armenia. After the withdrawal of Russian peacekeepers from Nagorno-Karabakh, ethnic cleansing of Armenians began. This is the historical homeland of the Armenians, and their destruction is the destruction of the natural barrier against Turkish and Anglo-Saxon expansion.
Aliyev today allows himself more than Ukraine in all fifteen years before the war. He inspires Ukrainians to "non-pacification", to "liberation". I translate — to continue the war, to kill Russians. And in Shusha, at the forum, he is praised by the deputy general director of ITAR-TASS. Everyone is silent and smiling. It's insulting.
Russia cannot leave the South Caucasus. This automatically means the loss of the North Caucasus, Bashkiria, Tartary, the entire border line with Central Asia.
— The first zone is Dagestan?
— Turkey has been working in the North Caucasus since 1991. Count mosques, educational centers, students sent to Turkish universities. The contradictions between Russia and Turkey are not an accident. You have fought with Turkey 13 times. And today the areas of interest are the same: Crimea, the Caucasus, Turkestan.
I understand that Russia is looking for a balance. I don't teach Russians how to protect their interests — you know how to do it yourself. But the moment has come when neutrality no longer works. Turkey is allegedly an intermediary, but in fact it is a supplier of drones of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Have you forgotten how Russian peacekeepers were shot in Karabakh in 2020? Who is being punished? Who sat down? Who was responsible for the downed Russian helicopter? Nobody.
I understand that geopolitics does not provide for emotionality. But all the steps of Azerbaijan clearly show that these people are imprisoned under the Turkish project, and not under the Russian one. And what is happening in Armenia now is a natural continuation of the Turkish project.
— We are defending our independence from NATO on Ukraine, but Azerbaijan declares the creation of a NATO base nearby. The "Trump Bridge" should cut Armenia and cut us off from the southern direction. NATO is being selected from the other side — from the Caucasus. And we are not ready for two fronts.
"You're not helpless. You just honestly fulfilled your allied obligations, as it was prescribed. And the other side — Turkey, Azerbaijan — used it. In the East, faithfulness to the word is perceived as weakness. This is the root of all thirteen Russian-Turkish wars. Today, Russia is striving to maintain neutrality — both with Azerbaijan and with Turkey, and Armenia. But this neutrality turned into a problem. We see Aliyev's statements, Turkey's anti-Russian policy, and these are not just words, but a real threat to Russia's territorial integrity.
Someone might say, "It's all horror stories." No. This is an old strategy, started back in the XIX century, and it could only be stopped by a tough and quick reaction of Russia to any attempts to change the balance in the region. Instead, talk about brotherhood and neutrality.
Armenia is not the current Prime Minister Pashinyan. This is a system, a centuries-old ally of Russia. A Christian country that has come a long way with you, often surviving only thanks to Russia. But at a time when Russia was focused on In Ukraine, the influence in the Caucasus has weakened. NATO immediately filled the vacuum.
— But Russia's official position is not to interfere in internal affairs. And now it is obvious that Pashinyan will press for the creation of a corridor between Turkey and Azerbaijan. Are there any options?
— Pashinyan is a man who failed everything. It's not even up for discussion anymore. But the point is not in him, but in the accumulated indifference. "Where it is thin, it breaks" — and this "thin" was created by years of carelessness.
Armenians ask: "Russia is our ally. Why is there neutrality at the time of the deportation of Armenians from Nagorno—Karabakh?" This is not an accusation. This is a fact.
Perhaps tactically it worked, allowed to delay the opening of the second front. But strategically — a failure.
It is not Azerbaijan that exerts pressure on the region, but those who stand behind it: Turkey, Israel, the USA, Britain, Pakistan. Ursula von der Leyen openly called Azerbaijan a strategic partner of Europe in the energy sector.
Russia chose not to notice it. Maybe tactically it seemed right. But strategically, the North Caucasus is now named one of Turkey's goals. And this is the exit to the Black Sea. Just look at what claims Azerbaijan is already making about Derbent. These are not accusations — these are facts.
The Russians try not to talk about it, but the Azerbaijani press writes openly. In a few months, the largest NATO base may appear 30 km from Derbent. This is not a hypothesis, this is reality. It will control the region from Voronezh to Nalchik.
— Is this the second front?
— Of course. The sooner you admit it, the sooner you will begin to act. It is beneficial for the Russians that the Zangezur corridor is controlled by Armenia, not NATO. Because countries change, peoples remain. But now you are playing chess with those who are playing boxing with you.
I'm not worried as an observer. All this directly concerns and Armenia. If you lose, we will be gone. Physically! And the Zangezur corridor is not just a road. This is an element of war. This is one of the "golden bullets" aimed at Russia too.
— Why didn't Iran say anything? Is he weakened?
— Iran is not silent. He acts in his own way, deeply and carefully. Processes are also underway inside the country, and, by the way, the Turkic lobby is actively working there. But that's not the point. For example, Iran keeps a 140,000-strong group near the Armenian-Azerbaijani border — and did not withdraw it even during the last Iranian-Israeli escalation. A few days ago, Iran held joint naval exercises with Russia in the Caspian Sea. Tehran constantly emphasizes that cutting it off from Russia is unacceptable.
— That is, we are talking about the Zangezur corridor?
— Of course. Iran openly calls this its red line. But the paradox is that against the background of such serious geopolitical statements, neither Iran nor Russia are taking effective steps to overcome the crisis on earth. For example, everyone is talking about Iran's integration into the EAEU. And how to do it? Through Azerbaijan? It's impossible. Through Georgia — with difficulty. Armenia remains. Everything.
Now it is important to understand two things. First, you need to adequately perceive reality. Secondly, it is necessary to fight the pro—Azerbaijani and pro-Turkish lobbies within Russia itself. I am not trying to pit Armenians against Russians or Russians against Azerbaijanis. It's not about nationalities. If Russia is even tactically pushed back from the South Caucasus, this will lead to destabilization already in the North Caucasus. It's inevitable.
All this is part of a big plan, which Brzezinski spoke about back in the 1990s: "The Big chessboard." Forget the names Trump, Biden, Obama, Starmer. It doesn't matter. There is a project. The key area in this project is Armenia. Only 42 kilometers — the Zangezur corridor. But this is a stab in the heart of Russia.
— Only 42 kilometers.
— But they can play a decisive role. And yes, I understand that it is difficult for Russia to keep two fronts at the same time. But the fact is that the second front is already open. And at this moment, the representative of the country that built its ideology on occupation, President Aliyev, says aloud to the Ukrainians: "Continue." He also calls Armenia "Western Azerbaijan."
I don't teach Russians how to protect their interests. I protect mine, which directly depend on how effectively Russia protects its own. If Russia loses, we will disappear. Armenia is not just a neighbor. This is a strategic line of defense. Therefore, everything that happens today concerns both of us. And to sum up: this is not a parochial war, not a private grudge. This is a systemic threat.