“Veronika and I publicly announced a long time ago that we will not leave 90% of our property to our children but will serve to make the world better, and in these 15 years, we have done it with our friends and colleagues in RA, Artsakh, RF and several directions: education, culture, technologies, health care”, said Ruben Vardanyan, the former Minister of State of Artsakh, during a question-and-answer session on the Telegram channel today, responding to a follower’s question about his property. “I am happy that we were able to do a lot. I regret because more should have been done,” said Ruben Vardanyan.
Another follower asked: “Why didn’t you save Armenia and Artsakh 10 years ago?” Ruben Vardanyan answered: “I am not a savior. I believe not in saviors but in leaders ready to take responsibility, go forward, and lead the people behind them. Ten years ago, a strong government in Artsakh was building the country it considered right for the people of Artsakh. I believed in it and helped them. I considered that what I did were good steps. Maybe my wisdom is insufficient, but I am sure there cannot be one savior. We must honestly look at reality and what is happening to us, not be afraid to criticize, but also do it constructively to have a good future.”
Another follower asked: “In such a situation, why do the “elites” of Artsakh care about their own pockets? Don’t they have an instinct for self-preservation?” Ruben Vardanyan responded: “It is a difficult question for me why the elites of Artsakh do not have the instinct of self-preservation. In such a severe crisis, it is obvious that the only chance to succeed will be to forget all internal contradictions and unite against the external enemy and threat. Unfortunately, something isn’t working right here. Perhaps it’s been going on for 35 years, and people have become fatigued. It is a challenge, so everyone inside realizes that we can only overcome this together.”
Luiza SUKIASYAN
