Armenian Security Council Sec blames Russia for situation round Artsakh 

ArmInfo. Under the statement of November 9, 2020, the Lachin/Berdzor corridor "belongs to Russia and Russian peacekeepers are deployed there," Armen Grigoryan, Secretary of Armenia's Security Council, stated in an interview with Armenia's public TV.

Asked to specify whether it "belongs" to Russia or "is under its control," Mr Grigoryan stated that the corridor "belongs" to Russia as, under the statement of November 9, 2020, signed by Azerbaijan as well, the Lachin corridor is placed under Russia's full control and it is Russia that is fully responsible for the developments along the corridor.

Despite possible claims, this is a real state of affairs.

"And, of course, Russia must act to prevent ethnic cleansing of the 120,000-strong Armenian population in Nagorno-Karabakh. The only aim of [Azerbaijan's] actions is ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh.  Azerbaijani public, including at the official level, is demonstrating it by presenting ultimatums to the Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians, and Russia must act. If the problem is not solved through negotiations, Russia must take steps," Mr Grigoryan said. And the signed agreement clearly delegates this responsibility [to Russia].

In the context of the ongoing developments, Mr Grigoryan sees certain agreements between Azerbaijan and Russia as the incident is taking place in the vicinity of the permanent post of the Russian peacekeepers.

"In 2020, after the war, Russian peacekeepers promised Nagorno-Karabakh residents staying in Armenia at that time to ensure their security. And they returned, but the guarantees are not yet effective 'on the ground.' Moreover, a threat of ethnic cleansing is more imminent now," Mr Grigoryan said.

As to whether the security environment has been transformed since 2020, Mr Grigoryan it is absolutely so.

"Of course, most of our public was dissatisfied with the November 9 document. That document contained a protocol on the situation and guarantees pertaining to the Lachin corridor and Nagorno-Karabakh, the line of contact. All that was a guarantee for Karabakh residents' return. But now we see this system disintegrating," Mr Grigoryan said.   

As regards the opposition forces' criticism against Armenia's incumbent authorities that they must share the responsibility for the present situation, as they held discussions with the West behind Russia, Mr Grigoryan stated that the critics view Russia as "not serious."

"The only force present in Nagorno-Karabakh is Russia, and both the authorities and population are pro- Russian there. So what are they being punished for? No anti-Russian sentiments have been seen in Nagorno-Karabakh - at until recently. Russia's actions may be the result. After 2018, we did not change our foreign policy in any way, but the result was the 2020 war. Russia is pursuing its own strategic interests, no matter who is in power. And being present in Artsakh is among its strategic interests," Mr Grigoryan said.

As to the reasons why Russia allows Azerbaijan's steps if Nagorno-Karabakh is among its priorities, Mr Grigoryan advises turning to Russia for answers as he cannot understand Russia's policy.

In response to a remark that Armenia needs Artsakh nor than Russia does, he said that Armenia attaches importance to Armenians' secure life in Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia's authorities are doing their best.

While Azerbaijan is seeking to accomplish its tasks by force, Armenia is seeking new security guarantees, Mr Grigoryan said.