Pashinyan’s unusual statement, Aliyev’s criticism and Putin’s ‘logical’ proposal: Euronews roundup

In an extraordinary admission, Armenia’s PM Nikol Pashinyan declared that Karabakh was not Armenia’s territory and that the Armenian movement for it was “a fatal mistake,” as Yerevan forges its peace with Azerbaijan and its decisive pro-EU course, Euronews writes.

As noted, Pashinyan stunned the Armenian society inside and outside the country, countering decades of prior Armenian national narrative regarding Karabakh.

“Pashinyan’s startling statement comes just days after the historic European Political Community (EPC) conference and the EU-Armenia summit, which underscored Armenia’s message to the world — and especially to Russia — that it has now decisively embarked on a pro-European course,” the publication states.

As noted, with the June elections looming in Armenia, Pashinyan’s extraordinary statement sets out his government’s position.

Meanwhile Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev warned on Sunday against the upsurge of anti-Azerbaijani forces in Armenia ahead of the June elections, stating that Azerbaijan is committed to a future of peace with its former rival.

Azerbaijan’s president also took aim at what he called “certain foreign leaders” who now portray themselves as “false heroes.”

“Now they allegedly claim to have rescued Armenia from our hands. We had no intention of destroying Armenia or depriving it of its independence,” Aliyev said.

“There is no need to protect Armenia from us. We have achieved what we set out to achieve.”

As noted, Armenia’s choice of a pro-European future has finally prompted Russian President Vladimir Putin to say on Saturday that it would be “logical” for Armenia to hold a referendum on its EU membership path.