What Signals is Artsakh Receiving from Russia? Babayan Responds

More than a month and a half has passed since the residents of Artsakh have been under Azerbaijani blockade, and there have been no positive developments in their lives. The Azerbaijanis continue to keep the only road connecting Artsakh to the world, the Berdzor Corridor, closed.

“As of now, there is no change; Artsakh is under siege,” says David Babayan, advisor to the President of Artsakh and former head of its Foreign Ministry, in an interview with MediaHub. Babayan notes that the situation created in Artsakh has muddled the entire region.

“If it weren't for the consequences of 2020, Artsakh would not have weakened or lost its stabilizing role in the region; this confusion would not have arisen. Artsakh has served as a powerful shield not only for Armenian statehood but also to restrain the expansionist ambitions of various geopolitical vectors. That shield has weakened and shattered, leading to such geopolitical developments. What we are seeing now is a continuation of the aggression and expansionism of the Turkish-Azerbaijani tandem of 2020,” he states.

- When you mention regional clashes, are you referring to the increasingly tense relations between Iran and Azerbaijan?

- Absolutely. Artsakh has always been a stabilizing factor, and since it has now weakened, those currents are flowing unimpeded into the region.

Regarding the opening of the Berdzor Corridor, negotiations are ongoing. Just days ago, Armenian delegates made quite firm statements at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, but we do not see any substantial changes.

- What else needs to be done to lift Artsakh from the Azerbaijani blockade?

- Politically, morally, and informationally, we need to continue our work at this pace. However, we also need to act more actively in non-public ways, particularly with power centers. This concerns especially our traditional allies, fraternal countries, and those states whose interests align with ours.

- What signals are you receiving from Russia?

- Recently, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made statements indicating that the Berdzor Corridor should be opened, and work is being done in that direction. This is not only a statement but a work plan, as I believe that Russia bears the biggest political image losses in this situation.

- Analysts believe that the closure of the Berdzor Corridor is directly linked to the negotiations achieved in Prague. According to analysts, Armenian authorities have chosen a so-called “Washington option,” which implies that Artsakh, including the Berdzor Corridor, is Azerbaijan’s.

Overall, when we talk about changes in geopolitical vectors, we must understand the consequences it could have, especially for small states. In this sense, we must avoid extreme measures. The Lachin Corridor falls under the zone of responsibility of Russian peacekeeping forces, as established by the November 9, 2020 announcement. Azerbaijan, by signing that announcement, confirmed the status of the Russian side.

- How do you comment on analysts’ claims that the authorities have chosen the “Washington option”?

- We will never be part of Azerbaijan. It is clear that the Artsakh issue is part of a larger geopolitical game, but that is unacceptable for us. If we show willpower and declare that it is not acceptable for us, we can disrupt any game. Aliyev says the issue of Artsakh is resolved. Artsakh is under blockade, but the issue of Artsakh is not closed.