“We understand and see how Azerbaijanis show ugly, unacceptable attitudes, mock and provoke Russian peacekeepers to use force. I remind you that the peacekeepers’ mandate is limited in that respect. We hope that Russia will take a more active part in this issue and have a more active political mandate,” said Ruben Vardanyan, Minister of State of the Republic of Artsakh, at a discussion organized by Artsakh Public Television the other day. One of the international mass media asked whether the Russian Federation cannot solve the problem or does not want to solve it.
Ruben Vardanyan answered: “The role of the Russian Federation is great, but the Russian Federation is a part of the international community. Azerbaijan is not isolated; it has relations with Europe and supplies gas under contract. Don’t go to Azerbaijan, don’t let them organize international events, don’t let them come to you to relax…” Ruben Vardanyan emphasized that the mandate of the Russian peacekeepers is limited, and the number is small. “We will do everything to make the Russian peacekeeper feel that he has a huge role, that we Armenians understand their difficult situation. Stop targeting the Russians in this situation. Understand that you are helping Azerbaijanis. We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the Russian peacekeeper. What are you asking me to criticize them about? I won’t do it because if they weren’t there, we wouldn’t be there.”
Luiza Sukiasyan
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