If the situation deteriorates, Russia and the CSTO will fulfill their obligations to Armenia: Pashinyan

The Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, gave an interview to the Swiss RTS television, during which he stated that the USA and France should support Russia's efforts to stabilize the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.

In response to the host's question about what Russia's role should be and whether Armenia would want to receive more support from Moscow, the Prime Minister said: "We are in constant consultations with our Russian partners, including within the framework of the CSTO. There have already been clear statements that if the situation deteriorates, Russia and the CSTO will fulfill their obligations to Armenia."

When asked about the serious humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, recalling that the International Committee of the Red Cross reported on hundreds of thousands affected by the fighting over the past two weeks, Nikol Pashinyan responded that the situation is more than serious.

“Large-scale military operations are underway. Even military experts say that we are dealing with unprecedented military operations in the 21st century, considering all the weaponry used—tanks, armored vehicles, drones, airplanes, helicopters, and a large number of troops. It is also important to note that Azerbaijan attacked Nagorno-Karabakh from the very beginning with the support of Turkey and terrorists, bombing cities and villages. Ten days later, it was clear that there was going to be no ceasefire. Therefore, the Karabakh defense forces had to take certain measures to minimize the bombardment of civilian settlements at least a little,” Pashinyan said.

In response to the remark that a ceasefire has not been maintained, and civilians are suffering on both sides, Pashinyan responded, “The ceasefire has not just not been maintained; it has never even existed, because as soon as it was supposed to take effect, Azerbaijan launched new assaults. When it comes to compromises, Armenia has always been ready to make them. But concessions must be made by both sides. Azerbaijan has never been ready for compromise. This is why the situation is developing this way.”

The Prime Minister also noted that Azerbaijan is less inclined to maintain a ceasefire today because Turkey is leading the process, and for Turkey, this is not just about Nagorno-Karabakh. “What is happening is a result of Turkey’s expansionist and imperialistic policies. The Armenian population of the South Caucasus is the last barrier to its expansion to the east and southeast. In my opinion, it is very important to note that the situation has gone beyond the confines of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and entered a much broader context. The situation should be viewed in the context of Turkey's policies in the Southern Mediterranean, in Libya, Syria, and its relations with Greece and Cyprus,” Pashinyan said.

The Prime Minister also emphasized that Turkey plays a destructive role in the conflict and called on the international community to respond to everything happening in Nagorno-Karabakh, otherwise, the residents of Artsakh would face the risk of genocide.