US Senators Send Letter to Secretary Blinken on Nagorno-Karabakh Issue

The blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh has devastating consequences for an already vulnerable region, which is still recovering from the aftershocks of Azerbaijan's 2020 offensive. Despite assertions that the blockade is being enforced by "eco-activists," it is clear that the ultimate responsibility lies with the regime of Aliyev in Azerbaijan. Furthermore, Russian forces, who are tasked with maintaining peace, have clearly failed in their obligations.

This was stated in a letter addressed to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken by Senators Bob Menendez and Jack Reed. In the letter, the senators present information from the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Human Rights Defender regarding the goals and consequences of the blockade of the Lachin corridor. It notes that there is a shortage of food in Nagorno-Karabakh, which is a serious cause for concern.

"The United States cannot stand idly by while the Aliyev regime brazenly threatens the lives of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, and it must hold Azerbaijan accountable for depriving the civilian population of access to food and essential goods," the letter states.

The senators also expressed satisfaction with recent statements from the US State Department, which called on the Azerbaijani government to restore free movement in Nagorno-Karabakh. "We welcome the acknowledgment of Azerbaijan's responsibility for this blockade that is creating a humanitarian crisis, but at the same time, the United States must take steps to restore the free flow of humanitarian and essential goods for the besieged population. We must support organizations that are working to provide aid and work with our like-minded partners across Europe, who are also concerned about Baku's actions, to pressure the Aliyev regime to end this unacceptable blockade," the US senators noted.