Nagorno-Karabakh leader refuses to condemn Russia
I only care about what is happening with my people, the state minister of the disputed enclave says.
Ruben Vardanyan, the State Minister in disputed Nagorno-Karabakh, has refused to condemn Russia鈥檚 invasion of Ukraine on the 大象传媒 Hardtalk programme.
Asked by Stephen Sackur whether he would condemn the invasion, Mr Vardanyan said he would 鈥渟tay silent because I believe whatever my answer鈥� will damage the opportunity to get support鈥� from the international community.
The disputed enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan, but is controlled by ethnic Armenians who refer to it as Artsakh.
For over a month Azerbaijani protesters have blocked the road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia, leading to major shortages.
Mr Vardanyan described this as a 鈥渉uge attack from Azerbaijan鈥�. He said 鈥淚 care only about what鈥檚 happening with my people鈥� blockaded with no electricity and no gas鈥�.
Armenians in the region have traditionally relied on the support of Russia which stationed nearly 2,000 peacekeepers there in the aftermath of a war in 2020.
Some Armenians have questioned whether they can rely on Russia. Asked about concerns among Armenians that they may join a 鈥渦nion state鈥� with Russia and Belarus, Mr Vardanyan refused to answer.
