It is crucial for Armenia that the Russian peacekeepers' mandate in Artsakh does not end, says Zakaryan

“Armenia must restore its significance and role in the Nagorno-Karabakh resolution process,” said Artak Zakaryan, a member of the Republican Party Council and former Deputy Minister of Defense, during a press conference today. He referred to the recent statement by an Azerbaijani representative regarding discussions on additional legal and political mechanisms to ensure the presence of Russian peacekeepers in Artsakh. These discussions, according to the speaker, are being held between Baku and Moscow without the participation of the Armenian side and, naturally, without considering the official position and interests of Yerevan.

Moreover, the Armenian authorities are not even being offered any alternatives. “We must engage in the same process with the Russian Federation because it is important for us that the presence of Russian peacekeepers in the region does not end with the expiration of their mandate,” he stated. Zakaryan considers the existence of Russian peacekeepers in Artsakh to be the only guarantee of the region's security at this moment and believes that regardless of developments, we must be able to maintain the eastern part of Armenia, which includes Artsakh, with our own security measures in place.

For all this, Zakaryan believes that significant political work must be carried out with Russia, which should also lead to major investments in Artsakh to resolve economic and social issues. He cannot envision such developments under the current administration and calls for immediate change, warning that irreversible processes may occur tomorrow.