This is a tunnel, and if light is seen at the end of the tunnel, it is the light of a final and peaceful resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. Sargsyan

If it becomes clear that Azerbaijan, supported by Turkey, will not pursue negotiations under any circumstances, then, naturally, Armenia will recognize the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh, stated Armenian President Armen Sargsyan in an interview with the Russian newspaper Kommersant.

Kommersant - The possibility of Armenia recognizing the independence of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh has been discussed for a long time. Under what conditions could this occur?

Armen Sargsyan - This is both a simple and a complex question at the same time. In the final days of the USSR, when the people of Nagorno-Karabakh declared through a referendum their desire to live freely and manage their lives, history, heritage, and culture, the Supreme Council of Armenia voted in favor of this. But then the process was halted. The Armenian side announced, “In order to avoid complicating the process, we will suspend the recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh’s independence, and will talk and ultimately agree on the final status of Nagorno-Karabakh.” This means that the non-recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh’s independence by Armenia is solely due to the desire of the Armenian side to resolve the issue through peaceful negotiations.

This is a tunnel, and if light is seen at the end of that tunnel—the light of a final and peaceful resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh issue—then we can still wait. But if there is no light, that is, if it becomes clear that Azerbaijan, supported by Turkey, will never pursue the path of negotiations, then Armenia will recognize the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Kommersant - So, is there still light?

Armen Sargsyan - I am prepared to do everything in my power to initiate the process of establishing a ceasefire. The agreements reached in Moscow can begin to work if both sides want them to work. There is no need to prove that the Armenian side is willing to go down that path. If the Azerbaijani side announces that they are ready for a ceasefire and are willing to continue negotiations, then there will be hope. I would very much like the light at the end of the tunnel not to go out. Otherwise, God help everyone, because then the war could turn into a completely different one—similar to what is happening in Syria. It would be a far more tragic and large-scale war.

It should be noted that on September 27, Azerbaijani forces launched a large-scale attack in Artsakh, targeting the civilian population as well. By October 18, Artsakh’s armed forces had downed 16 helicopters, 22 planes, 186 drones, and 554 units of armored vehicles, mainly tanks, as well as 86 vehicles, 10 armored personnel carriers, 4 TOS-1A heavy flamethrower systems, 4 Smerch, and 1 Uragan type multiple launch rocket systems.

The enemy has more than 6109 casualties. On the Armenian side, preliminary reports indicate 673 casualties. The Azerbaijani armed forces also targeted the military and civilian infrastructure of Artsakh and the Republic of Armenia, resulting in 2 civilian deaths in Gegharkunik, 36 civilian deaths in Artsakh, and 115 civilian injuries. Preliminary estimates indicate serious damage to more than 6700 private properties, over 640 vehicles, and around 1110 infrastructure, public, and industrial facilities.

As a result of Azerbaijani shelling, journalists from both foreign and local media have been injured. A state of military emergency has been declared in Armenia and Artsakh since September 27. Humanitarian ceasefires have been declared twice already, but Azerbaijani forces have conducted diversionary operations and also shelled civilian areas in Artsakh.