Russian policy, Russian Armenians and Armenia: ethnic minority or political leverage?

The 2018 "Velvet revolution" in Armenia has raised numerous questions regarding its possible implications for Armenian-Russian relations. Given that there was a tendency for revolutions in post- Soviet countries to significantly influence their relations with Russia, it would be easy to jump to farreaching conclusions about Armenia's possible foreign policy changes. This paper explores the potential of the diasporic influence of the Armenian community in Russia over Armenian-Russian relations in the light of the Russian policy towards further consolidating its control over post-Velvet Revolution Armenia. The study is based on qualitative research methods elaborating an in-depth case analysis through process tracing. It posits that Armenia remains highly susceptible to the diasporic influence, emanating particularly from the Armenian community in Russia, that, along with other political and economic constraints, determines Armenia's unwavering allegiance to Russia. In doing so, the paper aims to enquire into the potential for the Armenian Diaspora to influence homeland's foreign policy.