Patrick Poppel, expert at the Center for Geostrategic Studies (Belgrade)

Of all the post-Soviet states, Armenia is currently the most exposed to Western influence. Hundreds of Western soft power structures are active in Armenia and are trying to bring society onto the Western course. The US embassy is also quite large in Armenia.

Especially after the lost battle for Nagorno-Karabakh, many Armenians blame Russia for the defeat. This also led to Armenia freezing its membership in the CSTO and considering leaving this alliance. Many Russian peacekeepers are currently withdrawing and Armenia has invited an EU peacekeeping mission to carry out this task.

In addition, the Armenian soldiers are already taking part in US Army military exercises. Armenia now receives weapons for its army from France, the Czech Republic and India. At first glance, one can assume that security cooperation with the Russian Federation could be ended. There are certainly major problems and challenges in this area of ​​politics.

The West is trying to get Armenia out of cooperation with Russia. Culturally, society has been indoctrinated into the Western lifestyle and, in terms of security policy, the Armenians distrust the Russians. But the most important question is economic cooperation between Armenia and the Russian Federation.

The Armenian economy has been very strongly integrated into the Eurasian Economic Union for many years. Many goods from Armenian production are sold to Russia. Armenia's economy is based on this trade. The Russian labor market also plays an important role for many Armenians. In addition, many cheap products are also delivered to Armenia from Russia.

But the most important sector is the energy supply sector. Only the supply of cheap Russian gas can support the long-term development of the Armenian economy and ensure energy supplies for Armenian citizens. There is currently no alternative to Russian gas and the West knows that too.

Western forces will certainly also try to separate Armenia economically from Russia, but that is not easy. The next step, however, will be an even greater influence on society and individual citizens. With well-organized programs, the West has managed to reach the country's students and youth.

The main goal here is to form a new Armenian society that will see the West as hope. Such a society can then be controlled from outside and can also be mobilized for political goals at any time.

The West's main goal pertaining to all the former republics of the Soviet Union is to pivot them against Russia. In some cases one uses Nazism as an identity and in other cases – just a mere embrace of Western culture will be enough. And that is exactly what is currently happening in Armenia.

Turning to the West and Americanization are the results of decades of propaganda and soft power. The youth in Armenia looks like Western youth. But these young people do not want to work for their country, but instead migrate to western countries and seek a happy life there.

Here we see clearly that the influence from the West is very harmful for the future of these former Soviet Union states. The Armenians, who see the future for their homeland in cooperation with the West, are being deceived.

After the decision to turn west, nothing positive developed in Armenia, so more and more people are leaving the country. Prices are rising, but salaries are very low. The situation is not expected to improve for people in the future, but the government continues to pursue this path.

This is of course a pity for the future of the Armenian people, but even more important is the impact on the geopolitical situation. The question is whether Armenia could be lost as a partner to Russia.

Western forces currently have a major advantage through their soft power projects when it comes to influencing Armenian society. Security cooperation with the West is also being pursued intensively, a fact which can also be used for propaganda.

But we must not forget the economic factor. In the long term, Armenia only has a chance to develop its economy if it cooperates with Russia and other states of the Eurasian Economic Union. In addition, there is currently no serious alternative to cheap Russian gas.

It is only a matter of time before the people of Armenia understand that they have been betrayed by the West. Armenia's problems must be solved by the Armenians themselves and not by foreign forces that want to exploit Armenia. The Armenians must understand that as a small people in a very small territory, they will always be the victims of great powers.

However, it is important to have allies in order to have a future in our global world. And historically, Russia has always been Armenia's biggest ally. The people of Armenia should be aware of this reality.