Yerevan Has Finally Given Up on Defending Artsakh: Ruben Vardanyan

Former Prime Minister of Artsakh and businessman Ruben Vardanyan writes on his Facebook page: "Azerbaijan is actively spreading disinformation about alleged 'attacks' by the Artsakh Defense Army, the purpose of which may be to prepare for a possible military escalation. The information space is intentionally flooded with fake news to present military aggression as a response measure.

We must say: this is a provocation. Essentially, it is reminiscent of the Gleiwitz incident on the eve of World War II, when SS troops in Polish uniforms allegedly attacked a German radio station and broadcast an anti-German declaration. This fabrication is 'stitched with white thread'; it is clear to any reasonable person that there can be no military attack by the Artsakh army.

Since official Yerevan remains silent, I, as a public figure, want to declare to the whole world with full responsibility: Attempts to blame the Artsakh army for 'incidents' are nothing but disinformation and an attempt to provoke a new phase of Azerbaijani military aggression against Armenian Artsakh. We see this provocation and want the world to see it with us.

Let me remind you that the trilateral statement is in effect at least until November 10, 2025, according to which the security of Artsakh should also be ensured by the Russian peacekeeping mission. The Artsakh Defense Army is ready to counterattack, and in the event of an escalation of the situation, the aggressor will have to suffer significant losses. Furthermore, in the event of direct military aggression, we are ready to apply quite effective asymmetric response measures.

At the same time, it is crucial to realize that the conflict has a peaceful resolution through bilateral negotiations. Artsakh must be returned to the negotiating table. We can now clearly state that official Yerevan, which previously attempted to address the issue of Artsakh at the international level, has definitively given up on continuing to defend Artsakh. But this does not erase the presence of the 120,000 Armenians of Artsakh, who have clearly stated they do not want to live under Azerbaijani governance and have already exercised their right to self-determination through the legal referendum of 1991.

In the 35 years of independence, the Republic of Artsakh has established and operates all democratic institutions characteristic of a de jure independent state, including an elected president and parliament on a competitive basis, an independent judiciary, law enforcement system, etc. The people of Artsakh have done everything to comply with the strictest requirements of international law in this regard. And now Artsakh is ready and must become a full-fledged negotiating party, but those negotiations should be conducted under international mediation with reliable security guarantees, not with weapons pointed at our heads.

Artsakh will spare no effort to defend its independence. Provocation and military escalation are not a means to systematically resolve the common problem. It can be solved in a civilized manner. And to remain in history as leaders who did not multiply but rather reduced the evil on the face of the Earth for their generations."