To teach them a lesson. Two years ago Armenians did a fine job at overthrowing their overstaid, corrupt, Russia-aligned state leader Serj Sargsian. As a result of the coup, Sargsian lost his office, to be replaced by democratically elected Nikol Pashinian. Such a feat cannot be tolerated by Russian state, as in its authoritarian system of values it is viewed as a huge negative precedent. If some other country, especially neighbouring one, can ditch their rotten government, then Russian citisens would also think of ditching their own rotten government as a real possibility. And here in Russia, thinking about replacing Putin and his mob with something else is a big no-no. Russia always helps foreign dictators on the verge of their demise. We helped Assad in Syria to stay in power when his state essentially failed. We helped Maduro in Venezuela, when riots broke, and crackpot bus driver was going to be replaced with Juan Guaido. Recently, we helped Lukashenko in Belorussia, when he was about to get kicked for good after he went too far with election rigging. There were more examples that I will skip. Those nations, who nevertheless manage to overthrow their “legitimate” leaders, are to be punished. Mikhail Saakashvili became a president of Georgia in 2004 by the means of Rose Revolution. Cue trade wars that culminated in literal war in 2008. This greatly impaired the stance of Saakashvili to the point of his exile. Petro Poroshenko became a president of Ukraine by the means of Maidan — mass protests against previous president Yanukovich. Cue annexation of Crimea and Donbass wars. Poroshenko also lost his office rather disgracefully. Ukraine lost several chunks of its lands and thousands of lives of its citizens. Yanukovich found refuge in, guess where, Russia! I’m sorry to state that, but Pashinian and entire Armenian nation are next to join the same club as Saakashvili’s Georgia and Poroshenko’s Ukraine. Unlike as it was with former two countries, Russia doesn’t even need to actively mess with Armenia to destroy it as we know it. Armenia is a small landlocked country, two of which neighbours (of four total) are Armenia’s sworn enemies. All it takes for Russia to punish Armenia for its flirt with democracy is just stand there, do nothing, and watch Armenia burn. I am feeling heartbroke over this conflict and the role of Russia in said conflict.