VIDEO. "Unacceptable". Pashinyan on Peacekeepers

During these days and in light of several previous events, systemic questions are emerging. I have often stated that the presence and activities of the Russian contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh are a key factor for ensuring the security of the Armenian population in Artsakh, and we highly appreciate the efforts of Russia in ensuring security and stability in our region. This was stated by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during a government meeting.

“Since November 2020, a series of events in Nagorno-Karabakh, including recent incidents, have raised questions among the Armenian public regarding the content and essence of the peacekeeping operation in Nagorno-Karabakh. The capture of the villages of Khndzorek and Hin Tagher by Azerbaijan and the abduction of Armenian servicemen in the presence and negligence of Russian peacekeepers on December 11, 2020, the capture of the village of Parukh in Nagorno-Karabakh in the presence of peacekeepers on March 24, 2022, and the ongoing and escalating violations of the ceasefire regime along the line of contact, as well as incidents of physically and psychologically terrorizing the Armenian population by the Azerbaijani military in the presence of peacekeepers are simply unacceptable. In this context, it has become critically necessary to clarify the details of the peacekeeping operation in Nagorno-Karabakh. This has been necessary from the very beginning, but we must admit that Azerbaijan has obstructed this process by refusing to sign the mandate for the operation of the peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh. We expect that any attempt to cross the line of contact will be halted by the Russian peacekeeping contingent, and the Azerbaijani units located within the line of contact will be withdrawn,” said Pashinyan.

Speaking about the mandate of the Russian contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh, Pashinyan stated: “The signatures of the Republic of Armenia and Russia are sufficient for the full implementation of that mandate, otherwise, measures should be taken to internationally validate that mandate or to empower the peacekeepers with a broader international mandate.”