VIDEO: Pashinyan's Response to the Question of Not Ceasing the War on October 7

During a question-and-answer session with the government in the National Assembly, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan reiterated that he is fully responsible for everything regarding the war situation, stating, "I have declared from this podium dozens of times that I am the one responsible, I have said it a hundred times, even during the election campaign, I don't even know how many times I should say this." This was in response to a question from Armenia’s parliamentary faction member Armenuhi Kyureghyan, who asked whether he recognizes himself as responsible and guilty for the consequences of the “Lele Tepe” operation or if he will once again claim that he was misinformed.

“As for the incident you mentioned, many clarifications have been provided about it, and I have given clarifications as well. If you feel the need, I can provide the clarification again. I was in Stepanakert, convened a consultation, listened to people's opinions on how we can change the situation, various proposals were voiced. After these proposals were made, I requested and instructed the military to evaluate the proposals and make decisions, giving 'recommendations' on what needs to be done. The military discussed and made a decision, and I was informed about the progress of that decision,” Pashinyan detailed.

The Prime Minister also stated that the concept of the “Lele Tepe” operation did not exist at all. “Later, for propaganda reasons, it was claimed that I said that Serzh Sargsyan lost 'Lele Tepe' in 2016. This has political significance for me; take it away, and I don't know what dividends will arise from it... This is complete nonsense; there has been no such conversation, and there could not have been. Interviews have been given for hours regarding everything else. All our compatriots who are interested in other details of this issue can now go online, search, and find interviews and discussions from hours long, even about who fled, suspicions about who deliberately removed the tanks to sabotage the operation,” he said.

Armenuhi Kyureghyan responded, stating that Pashinyan was skillfully dodging her question, saying he is guilty but claiming he was misinformed. She then asked why the proposal to cease the war was rejected on October 7. “Who will be responsible for the thousands of casualties that followed? What will you say to the parents you must look in the eyes, telling them that you didn’t have that political will, even at the cost of being called a traitor? After all this, they call you both a traitor and a capitulator,” Kyureghyan stated.

Pashinyan responded, “You are considered more of a traitor and a capitulator; the election results confirm this. I believe we will have more detailed discussions on your being a traitor and a capitulator in the future.” The Prime Minister noted that the proposal from October 7 was accepted, and an agreement was reached, resulting in the Armenian Foreign Minister signing a document with the Azerbaijani and Russian Foreign Ministers, which was published and widely welcomed and accepted by the public, but Azerbaijan did not abide by the ceasefire conditions.

“So I do not understand, do you really not know all this? Do you think you’ve created a reality for yourselves ... The concept of 'Lele Tepe' is merely a fabrication of your propaganda, forgive me for my expression, tricks whose bankruptcy was revealed in the elections,” Pashinyan concluded.