Russia's attitude is influencing thinking of many NATO members about further engagement in the region. The statement came from Konrad Zasztowt, an analyst of the Polish Institute of International Affairs, in an online interview with ArmInfo.
"On one hand, some of the Alliance members prefer to be less active in order not to provoke Russia, some others (those on Eastern flank) are currently more preoccupied with strengthening of their own defence capabilities exactly due to the fact of continued Russian military potential increase in the vicinity of their borders. Definitely, countries like Armenia are victims of the new situation, which to some extent resembles the Cold War period. In case of Armenia and Azerbaijan, both countries are engaged in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which negatively impacts their ability to cooperate with NATO and enables Russia's "management of instability" in the region," the analyst says.
Still, the Alliance has been increasing its presence in the vicinity of South Caucasus, namely in the Black Sea, says his colleague, Artur Kacprzyk.
"In response to a substantial shift in military-political situation after annexation of Crimea, the Alliance moved to reassure its members, strengthen deterrence, and intensify cooperation with its partners of Georgia and Ukraine. The Warsaw summit is expected to deliver further enhancement of NATO's posture in the region, including more naval and air activities, as well as increased land presence and exercises in Romania and Bulgaria."