A Show Organized by Azerbaijan: Ruben Vardanyan’s Interview with France 24

On December 29, the Minister of State of the Republic of Artsakh, Ruben Vardanyan, presented the situation created by Azerbaijan's blockade of Artsakh in a live interview with the renowned France 24 television network. This was reported by the office of the Minister of State of Artsakh.

Below is the full interview:

France 24: Mr. Vardanyan, thank you for joining us on France 24. First of all, could you describe the situation for the people of the Republic of Artsakh under these blockade conditions?

Ruben Vardanyan: First, I would like to greet everyone and thank all the French people who support us, as well as the French government. We truly appreciate your support. The reality is that 120,000 people are without fuel, medicine, and food during winter; the road is closed, we have divided families, and there are several hundred children who remain in Armenia without parents. We have children here in Artsakh who have been left without parents. There are many non-Artsakh residents who have visited Artsakh, and now they are also trapped here. The situation is quite dire, but the people living here believe that this is a significant struggle for independence, and for that reason, they remain strong. Despite all the challenges and difficulties, we are united and feel very strong. Despite all the pressures that Azerbaijan tries to exert on us, we resist and become even stronger under this blockade.

France 24: Are the people carrying out these protest actions activists protesting against illegal mining in the region? What do you think about this?

Ruben Vardanyan: We have today issued a joint statement with the government and the leadership of the mining company that we are ready to accept international ecological experts to come and check our mining practices. We believe that it operates under the best standards, and we also want them to examine not only ours but the entire region’s mining operations, and check specialists, not some so-called 'eco-activists,' who we all have found to not be true environmentalists. Most of them are people who serve in the Azerbaijani special services. By the way, if people in France are interested and check how many environmental actions took place in Azerbaijan over the last 10 years, we would be surprised because that number is zero. Thus, this is a show organized by the Azerbaijani government and is not truly an environmental movement.

France 24: I would now like to talk about your personal story. Before becoming the Minister of State of Artsakh in November 2022, you held Russian citizenship and were a businessman in Russia. I want to ask what compelled you to engage in politics in Artsakh and return, move to Stepanakert.

Ruben Vardanyan: Armenians live worldwide. We have a large diaspora in Russia, France, America, and many other countries, and we are all connected to Artsakh. Artsakh is home for all Armenians because Mesrop Mashtots, who created the Armenian alphabet, began teaching the Armenian letters in Artsakh, which is a symbol of Armenian heritage, Armenian culture, and Armenian DNA. That is why we have undertaken many projects over the last 20 years. After the 44-day war, I felt that this was one of the toughest times for those living in Artsakh, and I realized that I wanted to be with those who are truly under great pressure from Azerbaijan. They need to feel that they are not alone. We also have roots in Artsakh but live elsewhere, and I realized that this is the time to be responsible for your nation, for your homeland, and to try to help the people who are truly suffering from the current situation.

France 24: Recently, accusations have been made, for example by certain opposition parties in Armenia, that Russia is not performing its peacekeeping role adequately in the Lachin corridor and is failing to fulfill its obligations in this region. Do you agree with this sentiment?

Ruben Vardanyan: You know, I have followed peacekeepers' work in many countries, for example, the French, who have been sent many times to Africa, and we all know that it usually implies a limited number of soldiers, a limited mandate, and limited rights to use arms. Therefore, on the one hand, the people's disappointment is understandable, but at the same time, we need to realize that without a broader mandate, without a larger number of soldiers, without clearer rights to protect the Armenians who have been living for 35 years in their home and fighting for their independence, there will be no future. So I think the blockade showed where a larger and more robust mandate should be sought—from the UN as well.

This concludes the interview with the Minister of State of the Republic of Artsakh. Thank you for being with us on France 24.

Azerbaijan has continued to keep the only road connecting Artsakh to the outside world, the Lachin corridor, closed since December 12, citing false environmental reasons.