Menendez's Harsh Criticism of the State Department: 'I Feel the U.S. is in Bed with Azerbaijan'

The Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee, Robert Menendez, has strongly criticized the State Department for its failure to respond to Azerbaijan's aggression against Armenia.

"This was one of the most disappointing hearings I have ever had, but it clarified everything for me. First, I feel that the U.S. is in bed with Azerbaijan," Menendez stated.

The committee chairman also criticized the U.S. for refusing to openly and unequivocally condemn Azerbaijan's aggression against Armenia and Artsakh.

"You have to acknowledge that there is an aggressor. If I am being subjected to violence, you call for both sides to stop the violence. If there is one side that is the aggressor, then your comments should be directed toward the aggressor. It seems that we are failing at this," Menendez added.

Mendez expressed frustration over the lack of investigation by the State Department regarding Azerbaijan's illegal use of munitions, particularly cluster munitions and white phosphorus during the 2020 war against Artsakh, which are illegal. He also voiced outrage over the State Department’s inaction regarding the killing of Armenian prisoners of war by Azerbaijani forces and the killing of a female serviceman in September.

"We have done nothing to verify the video of the execution of Armenian soldiers, the violence against Armenian soldiers; we have done nothing. I ask whether you know about the videos, and you respond that yes, but have we done anything to verify them, and you answer no," said Menendez.