The Days of Russian Peacekeepers in Artsakh Are Counted, Because Who Will They Protect? - Konstantin Zatulin

The Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh has no one left to protect. This was stated by Konstantin Zatulin, the first deputy chairman of the State Duma’s Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration, and Relations with Compatriots, in an interview with the radio station 'Moscow Speaks.'

He emphasized that Azerbaijan's attack has delivered a 'blow' to Russian positions.

“The arrest of Sahakyan and Gukasian, which took place essentially in front of the Russian peacekeeping contingent, is, in my opinion, a serious reproach not only to the treacherous authorities of Armenia but also to the function we have assumed—playing the role of a peacemaker in this region. Some Russian officials have gone so far as to publicly declare that we should not look for culprits for the departure of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh. This, according to them, is a voluntary action. This is a disgraceful statement that discredits Russia as a peacekeeper. The fact that all Armenians have left Nagorno-Karabakh means that at that moment they have ceased to believe that our peacekeeping contingent is capable of protecting them.

It is obvious that, in any case, the days of our contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh are numbered, because who will they protect if there are no people left? Our contingent isn't going to regulate traffic rules in Stepanakert, which the Azerbaijanis now officially call Khankendi. It is merely a matter of time—specifically, a short time. This is what happened as a result of the Azerbaijani attack, which struck our positions in the region,” Zatulin stated.

Konstantin Zatulin added that Baku’s actions have 'discredited' Russia as a powerful state. In this regard, discussions have begun in Georgia about the reclamation of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the legislator noted.

“People who see certain advantages in Azerbaijan restoring its territorial integrity do not understand what waves have been propagated in the South Caucasus waters and how this undermines Russia’s reputation as a powerful state capable of pursuing its agenda in the region. Already in Georgia, there were talks about the necessity to follow Azerbaijan’s example and reclaim Abkhazia and South Ossetia in the same way. This, of course, will not happen, but the fact that Saakashvili's supporters are raising their heads there and in other places is another hint that Azerbaijan's example is contagious.

I think Azerbaijan made a big mistake, as they went too far both with the arrests and in actually expelling Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh. This will affect Azerbaijan's image for a long time, its opportunities in the world, and so forth, regardless of what anyone is looking for—benefits, oil products, and everything else,” Zatulin concluded.

It should be noted that earlier reports indicated that information is circulating on the internet and certain Telegram channels that the Russian peacekeeping mission will completely withdraw from Artsakh by November 1, 2023.