Armenia's PM accused Azerbaijan and Russia of preparing for war against Armenia
Photo: Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan (Getty Images)
Azerbaijan is preparing for a new war. Promises of a peaceful resolution to the crisis between the two countries are contradicted by Baku's actions, states the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan.
In an interview with the television channel France 24, the head of the government noted that Baku perceives today's Armenia as the Western Azerbaijan. According to Pashinyan, President Ilham Aliyev does not want a peaceful agreement based on mutual recognition of territorial integrity but aims to seize new territories in Armenia.
The head of the government also accused Russia of destabilizing the situation in the country.
"A few months ago, Russia openly called on the Armenian population to overthrow the government. Moscow's propaganda against it does not cease," said Pashinyan.
He added that he is particularly concerned about the abduction of Russian deserter Dmitry Setrakov by Russian soldiers in Armenia.
"We cannot tolerate illegal actions on our territory. If Yerevan's demands remain unanswered, there will be consequences," said the Armenian prime minister.
Pashinyan also explained that the country's participation in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), dominated by Moscow, has been "frozen." He added that the question of preserving the Russian military base in Armenia is not on the agenda.
Conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan
On September 19, 2023, Azerbaijan announced the start of "local counter-terrorism measures" in Nagornyi-Karabakh. A military operation by the Azerbaijani army began in the region.
Armenia refused to deploy its army to the region. The head of the Armenian government recognized Azerbaijan's territory as 86.6 thousand square kilometers, including Nagornyi-Karabakh. However, a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan has not been reached yet.
In January 2024, Aliyev stated that the countries had created the essential conditions for signing a peace agreement. However, on February 13, Armenia and Azerbaijan accused each other of launching attacks that resulted in injuries to Armenian military personnel.
Recently, Pashinyan and Aliyev met in Munich. Aliyev described it as "constructive."
Earlier, Pashinyan stated that Armenia is not an ally of Russia in the war in Ukraine. The politician reminded of international law regarding the recognition of state borders and emphasized the friendship of Armenians with the Ukrainian people.
