Facebook post of Ruben Vardanyan, Co-Founder of the “We are our mountains” territorial agency, former Minister of State of the Republic of Artsakh: A hundred days ago, Azerbaijan, by closing the corridor connecting Artsakh to Armenia and the outside world, aimed to isolate us, the Armenians living here. It was a tool of pressure to impoverish us, break our will, and get us out of Artsakh. But Azerbaijan still needs to achieve its goal, and this step also had the opposite result. It sobered us all up and reminded us that, despite all our differences, we have the same goal: to live in dignity and peace in our homeland.
During this 100-day blockade, we can record the following:
1. Resistance: Despite the hardships and the harsh winter, the extraordinary endurance and unbreakable will of the people of Artsakh showed that they are ready to resist the pressures and continue the struggle that started 35 years ago.
2. Consolidation: The crisis became a unique period of consolidation for us. With the December 25 rally, the people showed they are ready for consolidation.
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3. Dignified confrontation: On March 5, our boys gave a worthy counterattack to Azerbaijani terrorist actions, showing that you cannot be defeated if you fight with spirit and will. The example of that dignity should guide us.
4. International attention: We managed to attract the attention of the international community, various countries, and international structures, to make Artsakh’s voice heard worldwide.
5. Side by side, but not together: These actions of Azerbaijan showed that Artsakh could not be subordinated to Azerbaijan. The status of Artsakh should be determined based on the exercise of the right to express the will of people living here.
6. Reaction of the Diaspora: The strength of Artsakh forced the Armenian world to pay more attention to Artsakh and raise the issue of Artsakh on various platforms.
7. The issue of Artsakh is not an internal problem of Azerbaijan: Azerbaijan failed to realize its plans and show that the Artsakh issue is its internal problem.
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8. International condemnation: Several international structures condemned Azerbaijan’s actions, and the European Court of Human Rights and the United Nations Court of Justice made a decision demanding immediate restoration of relations with Armenia.
9. Inventory: The crisis allowed us to assess our weaknesses and understand what needs to be done to strengthen them.
10. Omissions: Many “problem solvers” and “situation users” also appeared who did not appreciate and understand the situation’s seriousness.
11. Avoidance of collapse: It was possible to overcome the difficulties caused by the severe winter, the energy crisis, and all other areas without collapse.
The siege that started 100 days ago and continues reminds us again that we will always fight for Artsakh as long as we live. Our path has not been easy, but it has also taught us to be incredibly persistent. This once again showed that the Artsakh issue is not only the issue of Armenians living in Artsakh but the issue of all Armenians. I am sure; no one will be able to defeat us if we act in the unity of Artsakh, Armenia, and the Diaspora with a clear goal and vision.
