Azerbaijan's Proposals on Artsakh Status Unacceptable, Says President Araik Harutyunyan

The President of Artsakh, Araik Harutyunyan, discussed geopolitical developments along with the current military-political situation, security, and socio-economic issues during a meeting with local officials and community leaders in the Martakert region.

Harutyunyan stated that Azerbaijan’s proposals regarding the status of Artsakh are unacceptable. “We understand that we must live in proximity to our neighbors, but subjugation is impossible; it is unacceptable. The approach we should follow is maintaining the status quo, as the Russians say. Russian peacekeeping forces will continue to remain here indefinitely, as they have come here as a guarantor of the security of the Armenian population living in Artsakh,” he remarked.

He emphasized the necessity of continuing to live there with de facto independence while aspiring for future de jure changes. “That could mean independence; it could also mean unification with Armenia, which I consider unlikely. However, it could also involve some form of relations with Russia within a straightforward framework,” added the President of Artsakh.