Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan expressed concern on Sunday about the increasing likelihood of ethnic Armenians fleeing the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh. He placed blame on Russia for failing to ensure Armenian security. Pashinyan warned that if proper conditions and protection mechanisms are not established, Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh may feel compelled to leave their homes to save their lives and preserve their identity. He held Azerbaijan responsible for adopting a policy of ethnic cleansing and criticized the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh. Pashinyan also stated that the Armenian-Russian strategic partnership is insufficient to guarantee Armenia’s external security.
Last week, Azerbaijan achieved a victory over ethnic Armenians who have controlled the Karabakh region since the Soviet Union’s dissolution. An adviser to the leader of the Karabakh Armenians confirmed that the population intends to leave due to feeling unsafe under Azerbaijani rule.
Russia previously acted as a guarantor for a peace deal that ended a 44-day war in Karabakh three years ago. Many Armenians hold Moscow accountable for failing to protect the region. However, Russian officials argue that Pashinyan’s mishandling of the crisis is to blame. They also emphasize that Armenia has few allies in the region, as it shares borders with Turkey, Iran, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.
Pashinyan assured that the government will provide full care for Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh. He has also warned about unidentified forces attempting to orchestrate a coup against him and accused Russian media of engaging in an information war. Pashinyan expressed concern that some partners are exploiting Armenia’s security vulnerabilities, jeopardizing both external and internal security and violating diplomatic and interstate norms. He called for the transformation, complementation, and enrichment of Armenia’s external and internal security instruments.
In conclusion, Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan expressed his concerns about the potential exodus of ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh and criticized Russia for failing to ensure Armenian security. He held Azerbaijan responsible for ethnic cleansing and questioned the effectiveness of the Armenian-Russian strategic partnership. Pashinyan also warned about unidentified forces seeking to destabilize his government and called for the enhancement of Armenia’s security measures.
