I Have Announced Numerous Times That I Am Responsible for Everything, and I Am to Blame: Pashinyan

The Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, stated today from the podium of the National Assembly, "I am responsible for everything, and I am to blame." This declaration was made in response to a question from Arenuhi Kyureghyan, a member of the "Armenia" alliance, regarding the 44-day war in Artsakh and specifically about the capture of the hill known as Lelle Tepe.

"I have declared numerous times from this podium that I am responsible for everything, and I am to blame," Pashinyan said. "Concerning the episode you mentioned, numerous clarifications have been given regarding that. I have provided clarifications myself and will do so again if necessary. I have been in Stepanakert, called for consultations, and listened to people's opinions on what we can do to change the situation. There have been suggestions which I have asked the military to evaluate and make decisions on."

Pashinyan also noted that he did not name Lelle Tepe himself. He stated, "The operation called 'Lelle Tepe' did not happen at all. That has later entered circulation from a propaganda perspective, claiming that I said Serzh Sargsyan lost Lelle Tepe in 2016, which holds political significance for me; go and take Lelle Tepe. Such a thing did not happen and could not have happened."

When asked why Pashinyan did not accept the proposal to cease hostilities on October 7, the Prime Minister replied, "The proposal of October 7 was accepted, an agreement was reached, as a result of which the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia went, and a document was signed with the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Russia, which was published and widely welcomed by our public, but Azerbaijan did not implement it."