Ruben Vardanyan: "I am surprised, Armenia is not responding as I expected"

The Minister of State of Artsakh, Ruben Vardanyan, stated in an interview with Rusarminfo that Armenia is not responding to Azerbaijan's blockade of Artsakh in the way that was expected.

When asked if the international response is adequate, Vardanyan replied: "I see that many people in different countries are reacting, but as states, as international organizations, no, of course, the same applies in Armenia as well. Why talk about other countries? We can talk about Armenia. Armenia is not responding as I expected; I am surprised. It is truly unexpected for me to see such indifference, such caution regarding this matter," said the Minister.

He also noted that these events were anticipated: "When I arrived, the first session of the Government was about how we are preparing for winter. The first question in that session was that this winter would be very dangerous and very cold."

Ruben Vardanyan also stated that his relocation to Artsakh has posed significant challenges for Azerbaijan: "I disrupted everyone's plans. My arrival here brought forth major problems for Azerbaijan and those forces who want this issue to be resolved differently, both in Armenia and there are some in Artsakh who would be very happy if this situation progressed quietly and without my involvement. I understand that my coming here has generated greater interest in Artsakh worldwide, a greater response to what is happening in Artsakh. There is more enthusiasm and hope among the people. Interaction with people over these three days has shown that there is hope that not only I, but those who came with me will create a new atmosphere, a new situation, similar to the early 1990s when the Artsakh movement had just begun."

He further remarked that there are no panic sentiments in Artsakh: "It's not that everything is at a standstill or that nothing is functioning; we just need to understand that if we are going to live like this throughout the winter, it's a serious challenge that we are ready to accept, and there’s no issue."

It should be noted that on the morning of December 12, starting at 10:30 AM, a group of Azerbaijanis closed the Stepanakert-Goris highway at the Shushi-Karin Tak section under environmental pretexts, thus blockading the 120,000 residents of Artsakh. 1,100 civilians, including 270 minors, have been unable to return to Artsakh, with some temporarily staying in Syunik Province. Transportation links between the villages of Lisagor, Great Shen, Old Shen, and Yeghtsahogh in the Shushi region and the capital Stepanakert have been interrupted. Azerbaijan also disrupted the gas supply to the Republic of Artsakh starting December 13. The gas supply was restored on December 16.