Peacekeepers Refuse to Escort Artsakh Residents' Vehicle Parade to Hakari Bridge: Osipyan

The command of the Russian peacekeeping forces in Nagorno-Karabakh has refused to escort the vehicle parade of Artsakh residents to the Hakari Bridge, where an illegal Azerbaijani checkpoint has been established. This was reported by the President of the Artsakh Revolutionary Party, Arthur Osipyan, who published a letter received from the leadership of the Russian peacekeeping forces.

According to the letter from the deputy commander of the Russian peacekeeping forces, Sozonov, it states: "In accordance with the provisions of the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020, the Russian peacekeeping contingent does not plan to escort vehicles in vehicle parades, nor to ensure the safety of various operations and gatherings."

Osipyan noted that this represents a gross violation of the trilateral statement. “It should be emphasized that the refusal to escort a peaceful vehicle parade and to provide security by the peacekeepers means that the peacekeepers are refusing to fulfill their obligations, violating the November 9th statement and, in fact, jointly conducting the blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh with the leadership of Azerbaijan. The issue of involving international peacekeepers is becoming even more urgent and necessary,” he added.