The Russian authorities should understand that it is not Pashninyan who should settle the Artsakh issue: Political scientist on Lavrov’s statements

There is an overt conflict occurring between the Armenian
and Russian authorities. Political scientist Hrant Melik-Shahnazaryan said this
to ABC Media with regard to the statement made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey
Lavrov yesterday.

Yesterday, the Russian foreign minister referred to the
relations between Armenia and Russia, noting that the statement — made by “some
politician” from Armenia — that it was Russia that ceded Artsakh, is unbecoming
conduct. He recalled Pashinyan’s statements — made when he was still in
Opposition — on the necessity of exit from the CSTO and the EAEU and noted that
it was Pashinyan who declared Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan. Thus, instead of
blaming Russia, he must take responsibility for his actions.

According to the expert, people cannot understand much from
such statements made by both states.

“They blame each other for going back on agreements.
However, some of these agreements are kept secret from the public. Obviously,
the deterioration of relations between Armenia and Russia is the reason why the
Armenian side, especially Artsakh, has been suffering such serious losses.
However, it is difficult to apportion blame. I suppose that both sides have
their fair share of blame,” Melik-Shahnazaryan noted.

According to him, Lavrov’s statement that it was Pashinyan
who ceded Artsakh in Prague, is undoubtedly right.

“Yes, the blockade of Artsakh and Azerbaijan’s political,
economic and military aggression restarted right after Nikol Pashinyan
recognized Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan. However, the Russian authorities
should understand that it is not Pashninyan who should settle the Artsakh
issue. Thus, his statements cannot give them sufficient grounds to assume that
Armenia has washed its hands of Artsakh or to claim that Artsakh is already
ceded to Azerbaijan,” he said.

Melik Shahnazaryan noted that, taking advantage of
Pashinyan’s statement, Russia constantly repeats that Artsakh will be ceded to
Azerbaijan.

“Therefore, I do not welcome such statements — wherever they
are made, be that in Russia, Armenia, the U.S. or somewhere else — even if they
are based on the words of a person occupying the office of the Armenian prime
minister. Artsakh is an independent entity; the Armenians of Artsakh adhere to
the principle of exercising the right to self-determination; they stand up for
that right, and no one else can determine the future of Artsakh,” he said.

According to the expert, these authorities have been without
precedent in the history of the Third Republic of Armenia.

“Traitors have never before been in the driving seat of the
country. In this regard, other unprecedented events have taken place in the
past four to five years. These authorities spare no effort to annihilate
Armenia. That is why they have no scruples about their statements, and the
consequences — however devastating they may be for our country  — do not
worry them; on the contrary, they are part of their plan,” he concluded.