Your trusted source

Armenian opposition MP Tigran Abrahamyan calls on Russia to review its priorities in the South Caucasus and ensure the safe return of the displaced Artsakh Armenians to their homes.

In a social media post on Saturday, he highlighted the withdrawal of Russian peacekeepers from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) a year and a half ahead of schedule violated the 9 November 2020 trilateral agreement between the Armenian, Russian and Azerbaijani leaders.

Also, the MP from the opposition Pativ Unem faction deplored the awarding of Azerbaijani servicemen by Yevgeny Nikiforov, first deputy commander of Russia’s Ground Forces, at a solemn ceremony marking the withdrawal of Russian troops from Artsakh on May 15.

“Whereas, six Russian peacekeepers were killed, including the deputy commander of the Russian contingent in Artsakh, in targeted shelling by Azerbaijani soldiers during the September 2023 offensive,” the deputy stressed.

“Although the Armenian authorities have done everything to recognize Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan and to close the Artsakh issue, and Pashinyan’s government is primarily responsible for the current situation, Azerbaijan's massive attack on Artsakh and the forced displacement of the Artsakh people in the presence of Russian forces indicate that Russia also has a big problem here.

“Russia should review its priorities in the South Caucasus and put the Artsakh people’s return to their homes back on the agenda in order to restore its reputation and fix the mistakes,” Abrahamyan penned.