We Must Prepare for War: Key Takeaways from the "Press Conference" by "Aravot"

The editor of the "Aravot" newspaper writes: "All questions related to the Prime Minister's recent 'press conference', including who covered it, who did not, who sent questions, who did not—everything pales in comparison to what Pashinyan stated. Accordingly, Armenia will hand over the city of Berdzor to Azerbaijan, as well as the villages of Agavno and Sus, after another road connecting Armenia and Artsakh is completed. (Interestingly, is it possible for this statement to go unreported?)

It is stated that this is precisely what the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020, envisions. Given that the same document does not foresee the construction of a new road and knowing the peculiarities of Azerbaijan's political landscape, to put it mildly, I believe there is a risk that Artsakh could be subjected to blockade in this situation. The other statements made by Pashinyan during the same 'press conference' provide insight into Azerbaijan's current political motivations. He informed that Azerbaijan had canceled the meeting between Grigoryan and Hajiyev and did not respond to the proposed meeting of foreign ministers.

"They are trying to legitimize a new war," the Prime Minister arrives at a completely correct conclusion. True, he then adds, "Whether the new war is intended in three months, three years, or thirty years, that is a different issue." Thirty years is certainly not a realistic timeframe; however, the timeline of three months to three years is, I believe, correctly indicated, and war during that period is nearly unavoidable. This is, I think, the main takeaway from the 'press conference'—the remaining discussions belong more to the realm of rhetoric and serve as a ‘personal interpretation’ of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. Therefore, we must prepare for a new war.

Our fellow citizens who believe that "the Russians will not allow the war to start" are, unfortunately, mistaken. Besides everything, a situation may arise where Azerbaijan can "disregard the Russians." It seems that everyone agrees that we must prepare for war—without panic, and on the other hand, without depending on a 'peaceful era.' What is the government doing to prepare for war, what results is it aiming for (besides the number of 'likes')? For starters, perhaps it is worth appointing a Chief of Staff. With what weapons will the enemy attack us, and with what weapons will we defend ourselves? Answering those questions is more important than discussing 'the previous authorities' at every opportunity and moment. What is the political elite doing to prepare for war, and what is society doing?"