Former Askeran Leader: The Second, Decisive Phase of Capitulation is Imminent

Former Askeran administrative district leader Sasun Barseghyan writes on his Facebook page: "Reports suggesting that trilateral meetings between Putin, Pashinyan, and Aliyev are scheduled for November, with the signing of 'some' documents... According to circulating rumors, two documents will be signed.

In my internal conviction, the second, decisive phase of capitulation will be realized, shrouded in unclear formulations…

1. Delimitation and demarcation of the borders of the two countries,

2. Opening of communications, the so-called 'corridor' (another term will be used instead of 'corridor,' but as they say, nothing will change with that).

Perhaps some document regarding prisoners will also be signed. The first point is fully connected with the future fate of Artsakh, that is, its physical survival. By signing this document, both sides acknowledge each other's territorial integrity, leaving Artsakh and its people to the whims of fate, more precisely, to the judgment of the Turkish yalta.

The national efforts of recent decades directed towards the international recognition of Artsakh will vanish into thin air. And the blood of thousands of brave soldiers shed… Essentially, de jure, the Republic of Armenia will cease its mission as a guarantor of the safety of the people of Artsakh. If events proceed according to the aforementioned scenario, then the Armenian authorities will finally 'wash their hands' of Artsakh… and the post-war developments indicate:

1. The various, unclear actions carried out by the Armenian authorities
2. The 'taboo' for officials to enter Artsakh
3. Withdrawal from the term 'Artsakh' in international and domestic platforms
4. Complete absence of any mention regarding the occupation or de-occupation related to Hadrut and Shushi
5. The recent developments regarding passports: suddenly remembering that the passport has 'aged,' announcing a design competition for a new passport, reduction of validity to 2(!) years, changes related to place of birth, etc.

It feels as if they want to tell Aliyev, 'Brother, why didn’t you start the war sooner, you could have gotten away... we could also arrange our relations timely, and with hugs and kisses, we would coexist peacefully... Finally, we would escape from this Nagorno-Karabakh.' In such a situation, in my opinion, the people of Artsakh have no choice but to urgently prepare for a pan-Artsakh referendum, hoping to join the Russian Federation (following the example of Crimea), which, among many issues, first:

1. Will halt the depopulation of Artsakh, prevent further ethnic cleansing aimed at the physical annihilation of the Armenian population of Artsakh by Turkish-Azerbaijani forces
2. Will legitimize Russia's PERMANENT presence in the region, addressing several geopolitical issues, including being a guarantor for the safety and peaceful existence of the Artsakh Armenians while also serving as a deterrent to the Turkic world in the path of creating a Greater Turan.

P.S. These are sensitive, complex, and SERIOUS topics I touch upon, however, I felt the need to express my thoughts. With a heavy heart, I forced myself to speak out. If such developments occur, the mentioned events are inevitable. And SOON, or LATE, they will be called to LIFE. In my opinion, the sooner, the better for all of us... I am deeply convinced that the overwhelming majority of the Armenian people are completely against the signing of the proposed documents, and as my friend would say, in spirit and heart, they feel more like Artsakhis than many actual Armenians from Artsakh…"