I would consider the Russian forces which are deploying there [Karabakh] today to be more like occupiers rather that peace-keeper. Similar to what they have in Transnistria, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, said the Former Commanding General US Army Europe, Ben Hodges in an interview with Europetime.

“Having Russian ground troops there as occupiers is not likely to be very helpful. The significance of the Russian bases in Armenia, close to Georgian territory, has gone up and so Georgia and its partners, like the USA, should pay attention to this.

I’d like to see the USA increase its infrastructure in Georgia, especially to support rotational forces and strategic air lift, as well as maritime presence. This is part of great power competition - demonstrating that this region is important to us and that we’ll invest in diplomacy, information, and private economic investment as well as continuing security cooperation”, - says Hodges.