Ruben Vardanyan Gives Interview to BBC Hard Talk, Provoking Azerbaijani Side

Expert on Azerbaijan, Tatevik Hayrapetyan, writes on her Telegram channel: “Armenia's State Minister Ruben Vardanyan has given an interview to BBC Hard Talk. I would like to remind you that similar interviews have been conducted with Armenian officials, including Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and Nikol Pashinyan. I do not recall a case where any official from Artsakh has given an interview in this program format. I have also not seen any Azerbaijani official guest on this show. It is indeed a challenging format, with sharp, unpleasant questions and very little time to respond.

Not surprisingly, Azerbaijani sources were the first to write about the interview. The interview has not yet been posted on BBC's YouTube channel. According to Azerbaijani sources, Vardanyan spoke about the blockade and the humanitarian crisis that has arisen as a result. He noted that Armenians have lived in Artsakh for millennia.

He emphasized that for the last 35 years, Armenians have been fighting persistently for recognition of their independence. He stated that Artsakh has never been part of present-day Azerbaijan. Artsakh exited the Azerbaijan SSR in accordance with all legal regulations. He discussed the differences between the political systems of Artsakh and Azerbaijan and emphasized that while there have already been four leadership changes in Artsakh, the same family has ruled Azerbaijan for decades.

Vardanyan reiterated their readiness for negotiations and to live as neighbors but stated they will not be part of Azerbaijan. He also mentioned the assistance coming from the international community. Questions related to his personal life, as well as Armenia's and Russia's relations, were raised.

At the end of the interview, Vardanyan expressed that regardless of whether he holds an official position or not, he will remain in Artsakh, as he has come to be with the people of Artsakh and to overcome these challenges together.

I believe this interview and the thoughts expressed are very important in representing the situation regarding the blockade of Artsakh and the resulting circumstances. I am confident that the interview will soon be available on the YouTube channel. However, since it has greatly annoyed the Azerbaijani side, they were the first to write and publish the content of the interview.”