Armenian Armed Forces Units Withdraw from Artsakh: National Security Advisor

The Secretary of Armenia's Security Council, Armen Grigoryan, emphasizes that there will be no conscripted servicemen from Armenia in the Republic of Artsakh, but adds that conscripts in Artsakh will continue to be drafted into the defense army.

Grigoryan made this statement in an interview with "Armenpress," which is presented below.

- Mr. Grigoryan, recently there has been increased criticism regarding the fact that the Republic of Armenia is withdrawing its troops from Artsakh, thereby leaving it unprotected. How do you respond to these criticisms?

- During the war, several units of the RA Armed Forces assisted the Artsakh Defense Army. The withdrawal of RA Armed Forces units from Artsakh after the ceasefire was established and the deployment of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Artsakh is logical.

- But doesn’t that mean actually leaving Artsakh unprotected?

- No, because in the past, the responsibility for ensuring security in Artsakh has been performed by the Artsakh Defense Army. In this regard, nothing is changing. However, it should be noted that the deployment of Russian peacekeeping forces in Artsakh should provide a guarantee of security.

- But the events in Pharrukh showed that this is not the case...

- The events in Pharrukh grossly violated the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020, and applicable international law. Azerbaijani military units invaded an area of Artsakh under the responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping forces. The Russian Federation has assured us that the invading Azerbaijani forces must leave that area, and we hope that the Russian peacekeeping forces will ensure the withdrawal of the illegally invading Azerbaijani units from the area under the responsibility of the Russian peacekeepers in Artsakh. The presence of Russian peacekeeping forces itself indicates the acknowledgment by the Russian Federation of the real existential threat to the residents of Artsakh, and peacekeeping forces play a key role in guaranteeing the security of the Artsakh Armenians.

- But to be precise: Are conscripted servicemen from the Armed Forces of Armenia replaced with contract soldiers in Artsakh, or are RA Armed Forces units completely withdrawing from Artsakh?

- To be precise, let’s document that due to the war, several units of the RA Armed Forces entered Artsakh to assist the Defense Army. After the ceasefire was established, they are returning to the Republic of Armenia. This process is nearing completion and will be finalized in September. As for the Defense Army, it has been in Artsakh and will continue to remain there.

- So, there will be no conscripted servicemen from Armenia in Artsakh after September?

- No. But according to information we have received from the authorities in Artsakh, conscripts from Artsakh will continue to be drafted into the Defense Army as before.

- And what about contract soldiers?

- According to information from the authorities in Artsakh, both before and now, contract soldiers will also serve in the Defense Army.

- Including from Armenia?

- Contract soldiers are not being drafted from Armenia to the Artsakh Defense Army. As necessary, Artsakh organizes the involvement of contract soldiers locally.