Under siege: Politico’s article on Artsakh situation

Maria Musayelyan gave birth to twin girls on Sunday — now
she’s worried about being able to keep them alive. Politico published an
article on this, referring to the blockade of Artsakh.

“There were days during my pregnancy when I knew I didn’t
get enough food. And now it’s not just about food,” the 25-year-old lawyer
said. She added that there are neither clothes, nor baby formula, nor hygiene
products for the children.

Foreign Policy Advisor to the President of Azerbaijan Hikmet
Hajiyev told Politico that the Lachin road is open, while refusing to explain
why the Red Cross and other international organizations are unable to use it.

Hajiyev noted that the Azerbaijani government wants aid to
be delivered, just not via the Lachin Corridor from Armenia but from the city
of Aghdam, because it is less costly and more convenient. The author of the
article notes that Russia tentatively backs the idea, while the EU and the U.S.
say it’s not an alternative to Lachin.

Artsakh Foreign Minister Sergey Ghazaryan noted that if they
accept the opening of the Aghdam road and supply from the Azerbaijani side,
they will legitimize the crime Azerbaijan is committing.

“In case of the reopening of the Lachin Corridor we will
reestablish our self-sufficiency and there will be no need to receive cargo
from Aghdam,” Ghazaryan said to Politico.