Russian President Vladimir Putin recently responded to European Council President Charles Michel’s statement that Russia “betrayed the people” of Nagorno-Karabakh. Putin’s comments came during the plenary session of the Valdai International Discussion Club meeting. He employed a Russian proverb, “whose mare would low, but yours would be silent,” to counter Michel’s accusations. The proverb essentially means that one should look at one’s own flaws before criticizing others.
Charles Michel had previously declared in an interview with Euronews that Russia had betrayed the Armenian people. He criticized Russia for not taking action despite having a military presence in the Karabakh region. According to Michel, the European Union, unlike Russia, does not have military forces in the region but has been more proactive in its approach.
Putin, however, refuted these claims by stating that Russia has been offering compromises to Armenia for over 15 years. These compromises included returning five regions around Karabakh to Azerbaijan while retaining two, thereby maintaining territorial ties with the region. Putin emphasized that Russia was willing to guarantee the security of the Lachin corridor and the Armenian population in Karabakh. Nonetheless, the situation escalated into armed conflict due to the refusal of the “friends of Karabakh.”
The Russian President also clarified the role of Russian peacekeepers in the region. According to him, their only mandate was to monitor compliance with the ceasefire agreement signed in November 2020. He further stated that Armenia had recognized Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan, making it only a matter of time before Azerbaijan would establish a constitutional order there.
Recent Developments in Nagorno-Karabakh
On September 19, Azerbaijan announced the initiation of “anti-terrorist measures” in the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR). The very next day, the NKR capitulated. This was followed by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan questioning the effectiveness of the security structure and the role of Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded by criticizing Pashinyan’s statements as “unacceptable attacks against Russia.”
Protests erupted in Armenia, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Pashinyan. He stated that he would resign “in the next second” if it would resolve the challenges facing the country. Adding to the complexity of the situation, NKR President Samvel Shahramanyan signed a decree ending the existence of the unrecognized republic from January 2024.
The ongoing situation in Nagorno-Karabakh has become a focal point of international attention, with various stakeholders expressing their views and taking different stances. While the European Council President accuses Russia of betrayal, the Russian President counters by highlighting the compromises offered to Armenia and the limited role of Russian peacekeepers. Amidst these geopolitical tensions, the people of Nagorno-Karabakh continue to face uncertainty, making it imperative for the international community to find a lasting solution.
