Armenian Statehood on the Brink of a New and Catastrophic War: Araik Harutyunyan

The President of the Republic of Artsakh, Araik Harutyunyan, addressed security issues in his video message, noting that, in the context of global order and regional shocks, no one can yet provide us with long-term security guarantees. Nevertheless, he called for a return to and life in Artsakh.

Here is the security-related section of the President's message:

“Not only the Republic of Artsakh but also the Republic of Armenia faces both short-term and long-term security challenges, which is the main challenge of our time. We must sincerely admit that Armenian statehood stands on the brink of a new and catastrophic war that could have consequences no less severe than those of the 44-day war. The prevention or management of that danger must occur through both security and political means.

I express my deep condolences to the families of all the Armenian soldiers who lost their lives due to Azerbaijani aggression against the Republic of Armenia on September 13-14. May there be no more need for new sacrifices.

Considering the imminent danger of catastrophe, I am convinced that the only solution, especially in the Republic of Armenia, is the unification of all key players' efforts based on unity, sincere dialogue, and common sense. Regardless of what tools may be available to prevent the disaster, that unification must happen so that we can honorably overcome this heavy and decisive challenge.

The authorities are indeed always the primary responsible party for the situation; however, today, we all collectively bear a heavy responsibility, as we stand before dangers threatening statehood, one of whose causes is also internal discord. Our international partners and the international community can only provide additional tools, aligned with their own interests, but the solutions to our problems largely depend on us.

Now, regarding questions of long-term security guarantees, it is necessary to note that, unfortunately, no one can provide us with long-term security guarantees in this particularly fragile world order and amidst regional shocks. Due to Russia's preoccupations and distractions, the guarantees of Russian peacekeepers have undergone certain fractures, which Azerbaijan is exploiting. On the other hand, all foreign hostile forces are systematically undertaking military and informational provocations to undermine the role of Russian peacekeepers and foster distrust of Russia among the Armenians of Artsakh.

I am confident that the people of Artsakh will not succumb to such provocations, as evidenced by the special attitude shown toward Russian peacekeepers in Artsakh. Despite the geopolitical reshuffles occurring globally and regionally and the challenges presented, the Russian Federation continues to provide security for the people of Artsakh, albeit in a fragile and relative form. We hope that it will be possible to enhance the effectiveness of the Russian peacekeeping mission and ensure its indefinite presence in Artsakh as a crucial guarantee of our people’s security, regardless of its incomplete nature.

Due to these challenges, we have spared no effort and will not spare any in modernizing our own defense system within our capabilities to align it with the challenges we face. We desire peace and stability throughout the region, however, considering Azerbaijani threats, we have the right and the obligation to think about self-defensive capabilities and possibilities.

The system of civil defense also has significant work ahead. Although considerable efforts and resources have been invested over the past two years in civil defense primarily in ways that are less visible to the broader society, this will continue to be a focus, and greater attention will be directed toward this internal security component in the near future.

Issues currently existing in both the Artsakh-Azerbaijan and Armenia-Azerbaijan relations must be addressed through negotiations, and Azerbaijan should genuinely support this approach by demonstrating adherence to the principles of respecting the interests and rights of all parties and excluding the use of force.

We must exert every effort possible toward guaranteeing long-term peace that will enable Artsakh to remain Armenian and enter a phase of stable demographic growth. Many of our actions, including my call to the people during the post-war period to return and live in Artsakh, have been aimed at this goal. Despite the various difficulties and security risks, the only way to preserve Artsakh as Armenian is to live and act in Artsakh. In addition to international and state guarantees and efforts, every person living in Artsakh must also be prepared to assume a share of the risk and responsibility for preserving the Armenian character of Artsakh; our thousands of brothers and sisters have sacrificed their most dear for this purpose.

In this context, I would like to emphasize that my family has always lived and will continue to live in Artsakh, and I can guarantee the security of every Artsakh resident family as much as I guarantee my own family's security. The primary manifestation of each individual and family's contribution to guaranteeing the future of a Armenian Artsakh is precisely living and working in Artsakh, and the price of this is the difficulties and challenges we face.”