“Russian peacekeepers have a huge, key role in the existence of Artsakh. There will be no Russian peacekeeping mission; there will be no Artsakh. It is definite. We don’t want to discuss turning Artsakh into a testing ground for Russian peacekeepers to leave and others to come, and who said that others would be better? And what country’s peacekeepers will come and carry out a mission here?” David Babayan the Advisor to the President of the Republic of Artsakh and Representative on special assignments of the President of the Republic of Artsakh said in a conversation with Aravot.am.
At the government session, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in his speech. “…The Russian Federation has officially registered the possibility of mass killing of the civilian population of Nagorno-Karabakh and assumed the role of guarantor of the security of the people and civil infrastructures of Nagorno-Karabakh. …We hope the Russian Federation will fully fulfill the abovementioned function. Still, suppose our friend and ally, the Russian Federation, cannot fulfill this role for any objective reason. In that case, I think it should turn to the UN Security Council to alert about the danger of mass killings of the civilian population and the destruction of civilian infrastructure in Karabakh, and the need to launch additional international mechanisms in Nagorno-Karabakh and the Lachin Corridor to prevent this.” We were interested in David Babayan, considering the current geopolitical situation, the role of Russia in the ongoing developments, the possibilities, what do you think is the purpose of having such an expectation from Russia now, and in the end, what could this step lead to, if it is done? And Nikol Pashinyan made such a statement; what is the purpose of this? “Why is it being done? What is he thinking? It would be best if you asked him. I don’t want to comment on what the Prime Minister of Armenia said,” said Mr. Babayan.
David Babayan the Advisor to the President of the Republic of Artsakh and Representative on special assignments of the President of the Republic of Artsakh
Continuing the topic of Russian peacekeepers, David Babayan notes that Russia shows a neutral position, “has no strong inclination,” and the involvement of peacekeeping forces from other countries will create a more complex and mixed geopolitical situation in the already complex and explosive region. “Until the Russian peacekeeper leaves, another comes, Artsakh will not exist. It could be a matter of a few hours, and we don’t want the Russian peacekeepers to leave the region. If Azerbaijan takes such steps, the problem is not the Russian peacekeepers but the international mechanisms. What, peace, stability, and keeping Azerbaijan in check is only Russia’s job? Where is the UN Court of Justice, which made an interim decision, now Azerbaijan is spitting on that decision? Where are those countries? Should Russia ensure the implementation of that decision? In other words, in my profound conviction, we should work in such a way as not to question the activities of the Russian peacekeeping mission but to help them so that other countries will already exert political pressure on Azerbaijan because we see that a game is going on.
The anti-Russian forces accuse they are not thinking about Artsakh; no, they are thinking about other issues. In other words, they are playing other geopolitical games; are they turning us into petty cash? It is my personal opinion, and I think that of the overwhelming majority of the people of Artsakh, we do not want to become a testing ground; we should help the Russian peacekeepers because the problem is not the Russian peacekeepers but Azerbaijan and Turkey. And for that, we should work with other countries to exert pressure and prevent aggression. Instead of doing comprehensive work, influencing through different channels, I don’t want us to fall into the interests of other countries.” David Babayan is not against normalizing Armenia’s relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan. “But at what cost? Turkey and Azerbaijan clearly say that Artsakh is ours; they play “Western Azerbaijan” with the city of “Erivan”; they show ambitions for the whole of Armenia; they kill our people when we help them during the earthquake.
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The difference is obvious, isn’t it, and this decades and centuries? Of course, we want good relations with our neighbors, but do what they want to correspond to our vision and national interests? If it suits, we are ready to start improving equal relations, not destroy Artsakh and the people of Artsakh. I do not see such an approach from either Azerbaijan or Turkey.” In his last press conference, Nikol Pashinyan said that the position of Azerbaijan is as follows: they are the victorious side, and they are dictating conditions.
David Balayan is confused. “And who says Azerbaijan will be victorious again in six months or a year? The situation is developing so that any winning side can disappear altogether.” Then he notes that it is necessary to consider that Artsakh exists. If any side is victorious, it does not mean that everyone should be massacred, reminding that Armenia was also victorious for 30 years. “Azerbaijan wants a lot; should we give it all?” We must pursue the right policy because they will take everything with a domino effect if it goes that way. Tomorrow they may also want Yerevan. Shall we? Okay, let’s leave our homeland and live peacefully somewhere in Australia.”
Nelly GRIGORYAN
