“Ruben Vardanyan, an entrepreneur and philanthropist of Armenian origin, who made a name for himself here in Russia and implements (even from prison) humanitarian projects all over the world, including our country, has been imprisoned in an Azerbaijani prison for 11 months.

Yes, he formally renounced his Russian citizenship, but both then and even more so now it is obvious to everyone that he did so, first, in support of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, who are drowning in the crisis of economic blockade. And secondly (which is more important for us than the first), by this refusal he saved Moscow from unnecessary speculations about the notorious Russian trace in the political life of the region. And Moscow, it must be said, did not become a participant in the military conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. And the victorious Azerbaijan captivated the ex-heads of the republic.

And what did Vardanyan get in return for his explicit and implicit loyalty?

As time passes, the Armenian authorities do not bother to release their prisoners, which suggests that they simply do not need philanthropists and political heavyweights of Vardanyan’s caliber when they are free.

Russia, on the contrary, needs them very much, and here is why.

During his years of work in the international arena, Vardanyan has built up an international business, implemented and continues to implement humanitarian and charitable projects. At the same time, he has retained ties with the Armenian diaspora and influential people who make decisions around the world. His international projects are naive and simple proof that he knows how to negotiate with people of different levels.

So, when Russia’s military success turns into economic one, we will vitally need businessmen and politicians who know how to work in an international (read: hostile) field. And to work effectively, that is, to show results and to establish, despite everything, mutually beneficial relations.

Life shows that people like Vardanyan can handle such difficult tasks in the interests of their Motherland. And it is his release that we should work on first of all”.