Vladimir Putin
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Vladimir Putin has been the central figure in Russia’s management of the South Caucasus for over two decades. His administration brokered the November 9, 2020 ceasefire that ended the 44-Day War, deployed Russian peacekeepers to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), and positioned Russia as the indispensable mediator between Armenia and Azerbaijan. That architecture has since collapsed: Russia failed to prevent the Lachin Corridor blockade , took no action during Azerbaijan’s September 2023 offensive that resulted in the ethnic cleansing of Artsakh’s entire Armenian population, and watched as Armenia systematically withdrew from Russian-led security and economic structures.
The Ukraine War , which Putin launched in February 2022, fundamentally altered Russia’s capacity and willingness to act in the South Caucasus. With military resources committed to Ukraine and diplomatic isolation from the West deepening, Moscow’s ability to enforce its South Caucasus commitments diminished sharply. Putin’s personal relationships with Aliyev and Pashinyan — and his apparent willingness to tolerate Azerbaijan’s territorial advances — have become a template for how great-power guarantees can unravel when the guarantor’s interests diverge from the guaranteed party’s needs.
Groong covers Putin’s role in South Caucasus affairs through direct analysis of Russian policy, tracking of the peace process mediation formats, and assessment of what Russian withdrawal from its traditional mediating role means for the durability of any future Armenia-Azerbaijan settlement.
Groong episodes that include this tag
Below are all Groong episodes tagged with Vladimir Putin.
State of The Opposition | Update on Am/Az Border Positions | State of the Artsakh LoC (Ep #40) [EP40]
Posted on Monday, Jan 11, 2021 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Georgia, Middle East, Turkey, Ukraine
Guest(s):
ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 40 - Jan 10, 2021
Topics Covered:
- The State of the Opposition and their demands
- Update on the Border Positions between Armenia & Azerbaijan
- The State of the Line of Contact around Artsakh
Guests
- Asbed Kotchikian
- George Tabakian
Your Hosts:
- Asbed Bedrossian
- Hovik Manucharyan
Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20210110.html Recorded: January 10, 2021
Guest(s):
ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 33 - Dec 13, 2020
Topics Covered:
- Renewed Fighting & the OSCE MG visit
- Expedited Border Demarcation?
- What will happen to Sotq?
- Diplomatic Relations with Azerbaijan?
Your Hosts:
- Asbed Bedrossian
- Hovik Manucharyan
Resident Panelists:
- Emil Sanamyan
- Pietro Shakarian
Recorded: Dec 13, 2020
Guest(s):
ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 33 - Dec 13, 2020
Topics Covered:
- Renewed Fighting & the OSCE MG visit
- Expedited Border Demarcation?
- What will happen to Sotq?
- Diplomatic Relations with Azerbaijan?
Your Hosts:
- Asbed Bedrossian
- Hovik Manucharyan
Resident Panelists:
- Emil Sanamyan
- Pietro Shakarian
Recorded: Dec 13, 2020
On November 9, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia signed The Statement ending the war in Artsakh, known more commonly as Nagorno-Karabakh. Russia emerged as a major winner, by ending the violence, introducing peacekeepers, and upholding its historical role as the regional referee in the Caucasus. What are Russiaâs interests in the region, and in this agreement?
Pietro Shakarian helps us explore. He is a historian and a Ph.D. candidate in Russian History at the Ohio State University. His analyses on Russia, Armenia, and the post-Soviet space have appeared in several publications, including The
Read MoreOn November 9, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia signed The Statement ending the war in Artsakh, known more commonly as Nagorno-Karabakh. Russia emerged as a major winner, by ending the violence, introducing peacekeepers, and upholding its historical role as the regional referee in the Caucasus. What are Russiaâs interests in the region, and in this agreement?
Pietro Shakarian helps us explore. He is a historian and a Ph.D. candidate in Russian History at the Ohio State University. His analyses on Russia, Armenia, and the post-Soviet space have appeared in several publications, including The
Read MoreTurkey & Azerbaijan Connecting | Opposition Uniting | Putin support? | Kocharyan Interview Ep. 30 - Dec. 6, 2020 [EP30]
Posted on Monday, Dec 7, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh, Turkey, Russia, Economy, Iran, China, Geopolitics, Middle East | Series: wir
ANN/Groong Week in Review - Dec 6, 2020
Topics:
- Turkey and Azerbaijan Connecting
- Armeniaâs Political Opposition Uniting
- Does Putin support Pashinyan?
- Robert Kocharyan Interview
Guests:
Episode 30 | Recorded: Dec 6, 2020
Turkey & Azerbaijan Connecting | Opposition Uniting | Putin support? | Kocharyan Interview Ep. 30 - Dec. 6, 2020 [EP30]
Posted on Monday, Dec 7, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh, Turkey, Russia, Economy, Iran, China, Geopolitics, Middle EastANN/Groong Week in Review - Dec 6, 2020
Topics:
- Turkey and Azerbaijan Connecting
- Armeniaâs Political Opposition Uniting
- Does Putin support Pashinyan?
- Robert Kocharyan Interview
Guests:
Episode 30 | Recorded: Dec 6, 2020
Border Demarcation between Armenia and Azerbaijan | Scene in Yerevan | COVID | Armenia Fund (Ep. 29) [EP29]
Posted on Friday, Dec 4, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Georgia, Economy, Russia, China, Middle East, Armenian Church | Series: wir
Guest(s):
ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 29 - Nov 29, 2020
Topics Covered:
- Border Demarcation between Armenia and Azerbaijan
- The Scene in Yerevan
- COVID Update
- Armenia Fund support for the post-war Economy
Your Hosts:
- Asbed Bedrossian
- Hovik Manucharyan
Resident Panelists:
- Asbed Kotchikian
- Hrant Mikaelian
Recorded: Nov 29, 2020
Border Demarcation between Armenia and Azerbaijan | Scene in Yerevan | COVID | Armenia Fund (Ep. 29) [EP29]
Posted on Friday, Dec 4, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Georgia, Economy, Russia, China, Middle East, Armenian ChurchGuest(s):
ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 29 - Nov 29, 2020
Topics Covered:
- Border Demarcation between Armenia and Azerbaijan
- The Scene in Yerevan
- COVID Update
- Armenia Fund support for the post-war Economy
Your Hosts:
- Asbed Bedrossian
- Hovik Manucharyan
Resident Panelists:
- Asbed Kotchikian
- Hrant Mikaelian
Recorded: Nov 29, 2020
Guest(s):
ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 27 - Nov 15, 2020
Topics Covered:
- The war ends. What are the terms of the deal?
- Pax Russiana
- The extent of Turkeyâs presence in Azerbaijan
- Jubilation in Baku
Your Hosts:
- Asbed Bedrossian
- Hovik Manucharyan
Resident Panelists:
- Asbed Kotchikian
- Emil Sanamyan
- Artyom Tonoyan
Recorded: Nov 15, 2020
Guest(s):
ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 27 - Nov 15, 2020
Topics Covered:
- The war ends. What are the terms of the deal?
- Pax Russiana
- The extent of Turkeyâs presence in Azerbaijan
- Jubilation in Baku
Your Hosts:
- Asbed Bedrossian
- Hovik Manucharyan
Resident Panelists:
- Asbed Kotchikian
- Emil Sanamyan
- Artyom Tonoyan
Recorded: Nov 15, 2020
Guest(s):
ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 26 - Nov 8, 2020
Topics Covered:
- Six weeks of war, what to do next.
- What is Russia thinking?
- To recognize or not to recognize.
Your Hosts:
- Asbed Bedrossian
- Hovik Manucharyan
Resident Panelists:
- Asbed Kotchikian
- Emil Sanamyan
- Yeghia Tashjian
Recorded: Nov 7, 2020
Guest(s):
ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 26 - Nov 8, 2020
Topics Covered:
- Six weeks of war, what to do next.
- What is Russia thinking?
- To recognize or not to recognize.
Your Hosts:
- Asbed Bedrossian
- Hovik Manucharyan
Resident Panelists:
- Asbed Kotchikian
- Emil Sanamyan
- Yeghia Tashjian
Recorded: Nov 7, 2020
Guest(s):
ANN/Groong Week in Review - 10/25/2020
Topics Covered:
- International diplomacy on the move?
- What is Turkeyâs endgame?
- War and post-war economy
- Update on COVID
Guests:
- Asbed Kotchikian
- Hrant Mikaelian
- Emil Sanamyan
Your Hosts:
- Hovik Manucharyan
- Asbed Bedrossian
Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20201025.html Episode 23 | Recorded on October 25, 2020
International diplomacy | Turkey’s endgame | War and post-war economy | Update on COVID - 10/25/2020 [EP23]
Posted on Wednesday, Oct 28, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Turkey, Syria, Iran, Economy, Armenian Genocide, Genocide, LebanonGuest(s):
ANN/Groong Week in Review - 10/25/2020
Topics Covered:
- International diplomacy on the move?
- What is Turkeyâs endgame?
- War and post-war economy
- Update on COVID
Guests:
- Asbed Kotchikian
- Hrant Mikaelian
- Emil Sanamyan
Your Hosts:
- Hovik Manucharyan
- Asbed Bedrossian
Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20201025.html Episode 23 | Recorded on October 25, 2020
Artsakh War - Back to 9/27 | War Council proposal | Diaspora mobilization (Ep. 22) [EP22]
Posted on Wednesday, Oct 21, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iran, Artsakh, China, Georgia, India, Lebanon, Nagorno Karabakh, NATO | Series: wir
Guest(s):
ANN/Groong Week in Review - October 18, 2020
Topics Covered:
- In retrospect: Tracing our steps back to Sep. 27
- Call from extra-parliamentary opposition for a War Council
- Mobilization of the Armenian diaspora
Your Hosts:
- Asbed Bedrossian
- Hovik Manucharyan
Resident Panelists:
- Asbed Kotchikian
- Emil Sanamyan
Episode 22. Recorded: October18, 2020 Playlist: WiR (Week in Review)
Artsakh War - Back to 9/27 | War Council proposal | Diaspora mobilization (Ep. 22) [EP22]
Posted on Wednesday, Oct 21, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iran, Artsakh, China, Georgia, India, Lebanon, Nagorno Karabakh, NATOGuest(s):
ANN/Groong Week in Review - October 18, 2020
Topics Covered:
- In retrospect: Tracing our steps back to Sep. 27
- Call from extra-parliamentary opposition for a War Council
- Mobilization of the Armenian diaspora
Your Hosts:
- Asbed Bedrossian
- Hovik Manucharyan
Resident Panelists:
- Asbed Kotchikian
- Emil Sanamyan
Episode 22. Recorded: October18, 2020 Playlist: WiR (Week in Review)
Stepanakert Cluster Bombed | Turkey's Role | Russia Quiet | What's Next? | Ep. 20 - Oct 4, 2020 [EP20]
Posted on Monday, Oct 5, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh, Turkey, Russia, Georgia, Iran, Syria, Geopolitics | Series: wir
ANN/Groong Week in Review - October 4, 2020
Topics:
- Stepanakert under persistent bombardment using banned cluster bombs.
- Turkeyâs role in the war.
- Why is Russia quiet?
- What can we expect next?
Guests:
Episode 20 | Recorded: Oct 3, 2020
Stepanakert Cluster Bombed | Turkey's Role | Russia Quiet | What's Next? | Ep. 20 - Oct 4, 2020 [EP20]
Posted on Monday, Oct 5, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh, Turkey, Russia, Georgia, Iran, Syria, GeopoliticsANN/Groong Week in Review - October 4, 2020
Topics:
- Stepanakert under persistent bombardment using banned cluster bombs.
- Turkeyâs role in the war.
- Why is Russia quiet?
- What can we expect next?
Guests:
Episode 20 | Recorded: Oct 3, 2020
ANN/Groong Week in Review - (Ep #16) - 09/20/2020 [EP16]
Posted on Monday, Sep 21, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Genocide, Human Rights, Israel, Armenian Church, Armenian Genocide, NATO | Series: wir
Guest(s):
ANN/Groong Week in Review - 09/20/2020
Topics:
- Constitutional Court Appointment
- Armeniaâs Growing National Debt
- Calls for the Resignation of the Minister of Education
- Escalated Tensions on the Armenian-Azerbaijan border
- Armenian Soldier dies amidst escalation
- Azerbaijan again slams negotiations, turns away Russian AWACS
- Khodorkovsky Publishes New Dossier on Armenian & Azerbaijan
- Bob Dole hired by Embassy of Armenia as a Lobbyist
Guests
- Hrant Mikaelyan
- Emil Sanamyan
- Alen Zamanyan
Hosts
- Asbed Bedrossian
- Hovik Manucharyan
ANN/Groong Week in Review - (Ep #16) - 09/20/2020 [EP16]
Posted on Monday, Sep 21, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Genocide, Human Rights, Israel, Armenian Church, Armenian Genocide, NATOGuest(s):
ANN/Groong Week in Review - 09/20/2020
Topics:
- Constitutional Court Appointment
- Armeniaâs Growing National Debt
- Calls for the Resignation of the Minister of Education
- Escalated Tensions on the Armenian-Azerbaijan border
- Armenian Soldier dies amidst escalation
- Azerbaijan again slams negotiations, turns away Russian AWACS
- Khodorkovsky Publishes New Dossier on Armenian & Azerbaijan
- Bob Dole hired by Embassy of Armenia as a Lobbyist
Guests
- Hrant Mikaelyan
- Emil Sanamyan
- Alen Zamanyan
Hosts
- Asbed Bedrossian
- Hovik Manucharyan
ANN/Groong Week in Review - (Ep #14) - 09/13/2020 [EP14]
Posted on Monday, Sep 14, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iran, Israel, India, China, Georgia, Ukraine, Nagorno Karabakh | Series: wir
Guest(s):
ANN/Groong Week in Review - 09/13/2020
Topics:
- Electoral Reforms in Armenia
- Journalist Dana Mazalov passes away
- ANSEF Reorganization
- My Step MP Arsen Julfalakyan Resigns from Parliament
- Russian Opposition Leader Navalny’s Poisoning and Recovery
- What is going on in Baku?
- Azeri pressure on Arms Providers to Armenia
- Aliyev vs. Aliyeva?
- Caucasus 2020 Joint Military Exercises and those MIA
Guests
- Asbed Kotchikian
- Emil Sanamyan
- Alen Zamanyan
Hosts
- Hovik Manucharyan
- Asbed Bedrossian
Website:
Read MoreANN/Groong Week in Review - (Ep #14) - 09/13/2020 [EP14]
Posted on Monday, Sep 14, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iran, Israel, India, China, Georgia, Ukraine, Nagorno KarabakhGuest(s):
ANN/Groong Week in Review - 09/13/2020
Topics:
- Electoral Reforms in Armenia
- Journalist Dana Mazalov passes away
- ANSEF Reorganization
- My Step MP Arsen Julfalakyan Resigns from Parliament
- Russian Opposition Leader Navalny’s Poisoning and Recovery
- What is going on in Baku?
- Azeri pressure on Arms Providers to Armenia
- Aliyev vs. Aliyeva?
- Caucasus 2020 Joint Military Exercises and those MIA
Guests
- Asbed Kotchikian
- Emil Sanamyan
- Alen Zamanyan
Hosts
- Hovik Manucharyan
- Asbed Bedrossian
Website:
Read MoreANN/Groong Week in Review - (Ep #11) - 08/30/2020 [EP11]
Posted on Sunday, Aug 30, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics, Azerbaijan, Russia, Syria, Artsakh, Lebanon, USA, Middle East, Turkey, Nagorno Karabakh, European Union | Series: wir
ANN/Groong Week in Review - 08/30/2020
Topics:
- Armenian POW Gurgen Alaverdyan
- Armeniaâs Humanitarian Aid to Aleppo
- Serge Sargsyanâs Interview and the Four-Day War Deliberations
- National Awards
- Vagharshak Harutyunyanâs Appointment as Chief Advisor to Pashinyan
Guests:
- Asbed Kotchikian
- Emil Sanamyan
- Alen Zamanyan
Guest(s):
Hosts:
- Hovik Manucharyan
- Asbed Bedrossian
Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20200830.html Episode 11 | Recorded on August 30 2020
ANN/Groong Week in Review - (Ep #11) - 08/30/2020 [EP11]
Posted on Sunday, Aug 30, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics, Azerbaijan, Russia, Syria, Artsakh, Lebanon, USA, Middle East, Turkey, Nagorno Karabakh, European UnionANN/Groong Week in Review - 08/30/2020
Topics:
- Armenian POW Gurgen Alaverdyan
- Armeniaâs Humanitarian Aid to Aleppo
- Serge Sargsyanâs Interview and the Four-Day War Deliberations
- National Awards
- Vagharshak Harutyunyanâs Appointment as Chief Advisor to Pashinyan
Guests:
- Asbed Kotchikian
- Emil Sanamyan
- Alen Zamanyan
Guest(s):
Hosts:
- Hovik Manucharyan
- Asbed Bedrossian
Website: https://groong.org/podcasts/WiR-20200830.html Episode 11 | Recorded on August 30 2020
ANN/Groong Week in Review - (Ep #8) - 08/16/2020 [EP8]
Posted on Monday, Aug 17, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Economy, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, Iran, Human Rights, Genocide, Israel, China, Turkey, Middle East, Nagorno Karabakh, European Union, NATO | Series: wir
Guest(s):
ANN/Groong Week in Review - 08/16/2020
This Week in Review we talk with Hrant Mikaelian to discuss important issues and developments around Armenia, such as the Coronavirus Pandemic, and its economic effect; Armenia’s membership in EurAsian Economic Union and the economic effect of that organization on Armenia; and some of the trends affecting Russia and its economy.
Hrant will then join us in our weekly lightning round of questions from the past weekâs headlines, to analyze Prime Minister Pashinyanâs
Read MoreANN/Groong Week in Review - (Ep #8) - 08/16/2020 [EP8]
Posted on Monday, Aug 17, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Russia, Economy, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, Iran, Human Rights, Genocide, Israel, China, Turkey, Middle East, Nagorno Karabakh, European Union, NATOGuest(s):
ANN/Groong Week in Review - 08/16/2020
This Week in Review we talk with Hrant Mikaelian to discuss important issues and developments around Armenia, such as the Coronavirus Pandemic, and its economic effect; Armenia’s membership in EurAsian Economic Union and the economic effect of that organization on Armenia; and some of the trends affecting Russia and its economy.
Hrant will then join us in our weekly lightning round of questions from the past weekâs headlines, to analyze Prime Minister Pashinyanâs
Read More