U.S. Ambassador: I Do Not Have the Authority to Classify Events in Artsakh as Genocide

As announced yesterday by the U.S. State Department, we have expressed concern regarding Azerbaijan's installation of a checkpoint, as it undermines the peace process.

This was noted today, April 24, by U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Kristina Quinn during a conversation with journalists at the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex.

In response to a question about whether the current situation concerning the people of Artsakh can be characterized as genocide, the ambassador replied, “At this moment, I do not have the authority to make such a classification.”

Regarding the possibility of the U.S. imposing sanctions on Azerbaijan, Kristina Quinn stated, “Currently, there are no sanctions imposed by the U.S. on Azerbaijan, and I cannot comment on what we may do in the future.”

It is noteworthy that Azerbaijan announced the establishment of a checkpoint on the Lachin-Stepanakert road the day before.