Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan today suggested that the Russian Federation itself initiate talks in the Security Council of theUN on the allocation of a mandate from theUN to its peacekeeping contingent deployed in Nagorno-Karabakh.
“If the Russian Federation, for objective and subjective reasons, cannot ensure stability and security in Nagorno-Karabakh, (stipulated by the trilateral declaration of November 9, 2020 of Armenia, Azerbaijan and the Russia), I think that it should initiate a discussion within the Council ofUN. give its peacekeepers a mandate from theUN or send a multinational peacekeeping contingent to Nagorno-Karabakh,” Pashinyan said at a government meeting on Thursday.
“ What is the assessment of the situation by the Russian Federation ? (in the Lachin corridor blocked by Azerbaijan since December 12). What is its plan and roadmap to resolve the situation in the Lachin Corridor ? These are questions to which the public of the Republic of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh expect answers from the Russian Federation, which, among other things, is a permanent member of the Security Council of theUN“, underlined Pashinian.
During a December 27 meeting with Russian President Putin in St. Petersburg, Pashinyan recalled that according to the tripartite statement of the President of the Russian Federation, the President of Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of Armenia, the corridor of Lachin should be under Russian control. peacekeepers and Azerbaijan must ensure the unimpeded passage of passengers, goods and people along the Lachin Corridor.
“Now it turns out that the Lachin Corridor is not under the control of Russian peacekeepers,” Pashinyan told Putin.
The only road linking Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia has been blocked since December 12 by groups of Azerbaijanis, described by official Azerbaijani media as environmental activists protesting against illegal mining in the region.
Armenia has accused Azerbaijan of seeking to cause a humanitarian collapse in Nagorno-Karabakh and force its residents from their homes. From December 13 to 16, Azerbaijan also cut off the gas supply to Nagorno-Karabakh, pumped from Armenia.
Due to the blockade, there is a shortage of medicine, fuel as well as food and other essentials »,
Pashinyan also said today that there is every reason to believe that Azerbaijan is planning another military provocation, including in Nagorno-Karabakh.
In this regard, he said that there are urgent issues regarding the mission of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Karabakh that need to be resolved.
“I must honestly say that Armenia is a strong supporter of the presence of Russian blue helmets in Nagorno-Karabakh. However, the increasingly obvious approach of Russian peacekeepers, who silently watch the expulsion of Armenians from Karabakh, is unacceptable to us,” Pashinyan said.
He stressed that the Armenian side must work closely with the Russian Federation and other international partners to clarify these issues in order to prevent further aggravation of the situation and achieve a comprehensive settlement.
“I must also reaffirm Armenia’s willingness to sign a peace treaty with Azerbaijan, complete the border demarcation process and open regional communications,” the prime minister said.
Pashinian suggests that Russia seek a UN mandate for its forces…