As Long as Russia is Stable, the Artsakh Issue Cannot be Resolved Militarily: Davit Babayan

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Artsakh, Davit Babayan, stated that as long as Russian peacekeepers are present in Artsakh and Russia remains stable, it is impossible to resolve the Artsakh issue through military means. He emphasized that Azerbaijani aggression against Artsakh is inconceivable because it would be regarded as aggression against Russia. Babayan made these comments during an interview with Tert.am, addressing Azerbaijani human rights defender Ahmad Shahidov's tweet suggesting that Stepanakert would be fully under the control of the Azerbaijani armed forces from June, whether peacefully or through the use of force.

“Their primary goal is for no Armenians to remain in Artsakh, leading to its destruction. Unable to resort to military means, they are trying to implement their geopolitical objectives while spending minimal resources by exerting influence in the information sector,” he said.

- Mr. Sargsyan, in recent days, there has been discussion over Ahmad Shahidov’s tweet indicating that from June, Stepanakert will come under Azerbaijani control. I would like to know your opinion on this statement: what does it signify— a threat, a forecast, or a potential consequence of certain processes?

- It is both a threat and a desire, part of the political outlines of Azerbaijan, all combined. However, as long as the Russian peacekeeping forces are in Artsakh and Russia remains stable, it is impossible to resolve the Artsakh issue through military means. Azerbaijani aggression against Artsakh is unthinkable, it would be viewed as aggression against Russia, which would yield highly unpredictable consequences. Therefore, Azerbaijanis resort to other methods.

For them, the ultimate goal is for no Armenians to remain in Artsakh, leading to its destruction. They are continually announcing that Stepanakert will be theirs—attacking in June, August, November, January, or at various times over the coming years, to instill despair among our people and undermine confidence in tomorrow, or to encourage those living here to leave, so that those who have left do not want to return, effectively depopulating Artsakh. This is their goal.

- Shahidov also mentioned that Armenians are not sufficiently informed about the November 10 ceasefire statement. According to him, under the three-party statement, Stepanakert and all cities will gradually fall under Azerbaijani control. The rights defender also stated that anyone who doubts this can ask Nikol Pashinyan. Doesn’t this part of the statement concern you? Have you attempted to discuss this matter with Nikol Pashinyan?

- This is a technology. Our concern is not to whom the arrows are pointed, or who needs to come out from underneath it. Our main issue, our ultimate goal, is to restore Artsakh and keep it Armenian. One of the most important guarantees is that Artsakh must be a sanctuary for all Armenians, including the Diaspora, and its voice in Armenia’s socio-political sphere must be decisive. This does not mean that Artsakh should interfere in minor disputes. I do not wish to delve into the internal political discourse. It is up to Armenian society to decide whom it trusts. Clearly, the future depends on whom they trust. But that is another matter.

We say this is a technology. They attempt to instill despair among us. I also want to speak logically: here are Russian troops, who did not come for just 5 or 6 months, for some individual to later declare in Azerbaijan and have them leave. If we theoretically imagine that an agreement was made, and I do not believe this, due to the interests of the world powers in the viability of Artsakh, then why are Russian peacekeeping forces present? They could have left earlier; why have they prolonged this? What is the reason?

- Mr. Babayan, currently, there is also information circulating in the media that a mosque is being built for Muslim servicemen in the area adjacent to the Stepanakert airport, which is under the control of Russian peacekeepers. I would like to know if this information is accurate.

- The Russian military is multinational. This will not be a mosque of regional significance. We also have small prayer rooms in our units. They are doing the same for their soldiers. If among their military personnel there are Muslims, Christians, and tomorrow Buddhists, they will build places of worship for themselves. They do not pursue a specific religious policy, understanding that this is primarily inappropriate, and second, it is dangerous; unnecessary problems should not be created.

- Has this matter been discussed with the Artsakh side?

- This will be done at their military base, in the area where they live. If they want a bathhouse there, should we be against that? This is purely infrastructure. We should not politicize this issue; it is simply a humanitarian, everyday problem.

- Mr. Babayan, in recent days, photographs showing Azerbaijani vandalism, including the dome of the Holy Ghazanchetsots Church in Shushi being removed, have circulated on social media. Is there a form of struggle against this political policy, this Azerbaijani vandalism?

- The only form of struggle is to be strong, and finally come together as a nation. We will raise our voices against Azerbaijani vandalism everywhere; we have a criminal and terrorist country in Azerbaijan, which brazenly and without fear tramples on humanitarian international law. Therefore, our state must be strong enough to prevent such occurrences. We must unite as a nation. This is the only path.