An expert suggests Russia is trying to prevent Armenia from diversifying its foreign policy and connectivity, viewing Armenia's move away from being a peripheral state towards independence.

Speaking with FRANCE 24's Sharon Gaffney, Anna Ohanyan, Richard B. Finnegan Distinguished Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Stonehill College, explains that the narrative of "Armenia pivoting from Russia to Europe is a misconception", adding that "Putin is trying to apply on Armenia his geopolitical binary". In reality, she says, Armenia "is diversifying its foreign policy" and "is emerging from Russia's peripheral state to a sovereign and independent state".