Top Armenian official blames Russia for Karabakh's surrender to Azerbaijan
Armenian Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan defended the change of Armenia’s foreign policy vector, stating it would help establish stability in the region.
"When Armenia was heavily dependent on Russia, didn't we face a war?” he told reporters on Wednesday. “We found ourselves in a state of war because of the pre-existing situation. We are confident that these changes will bring stability.”
Grigoryan accused Russia of surrendering Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) to Azerbaijan.
"Russia stepped in, surrendered Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijan and left. This is exactly what happened when we were completely dependent on Russia, isn’t it?” the security chief said.
“Russia took Nagorno-Karabakh away from Armenians, gave it back to Azerbaijan and pulled back. I claim that Russia took away Nagorno-Karabakh. Without Russia's permission this war would not have broken out," he stated. “Russia should be asked what it received in exchange for surrendering Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020.”