No Country of CSTO Will Come to Dig Trenches or Defend Borders for Us, Ohanyan

Armenia is capable of independently protecting its borders. This was stated today by Seyran Ohanyan, the head of the "Armenia" faction and former Minister of Defense, during a press briefing with reporters at the National Assembly, responding to questions about appealing to the CSTO and possible future developments.

"Every country must be able to defend its borders independently. Every country should be able to make corresponding decisions. The Republic of Armenia is capable of protecting its borders on its own. But not under these authorities. To appeal to the CSTO when you haven’t utilized your entire potential in transferring your country to a military footing—when you haven't announced martial law to mobilize your forces to protect your country—but instead demand help with bombastic statements, is not right. A rational person first protects themselves. No country of CSTO is coming to dig trenches for us. No country of CSTO will come to defend our borders instead of us," said Ohanyan.

The former minister emphasized that the current authorities of Armenia are unable to protect the country's sovereignty. According to him, some of the casualties from the 44-day war could have been avoided. "All of this happened due to disorganization. However, we could have also had significantly more casualties and losses, yet managed to retain both Artsakh and the Republic of Armenia," he said.

Ohanyan also accused the Armenian authorities of throwing the country into the arena of confrontation of various geopolitical powers. Meanwhile, in his opinion, the resolution imposed by the West is leading to the final loss of Artsakh.