The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, commented on the words of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who tried to justify the removal of a clause on a strategic alliance with Russia from the government's program.
At a briefing on August 27, Pashinyan was asked the following question: "In 2021, in the five-year program of the Armenian government, relations with Russia were described as a "strategic alliance." Meanwhile, this is no longer discussed in the new government program. It only talks about "partnerships" and "transformation." What substantive changes does this wording imply and does it mean abandoning the status of a strategic alliance?"
Pashinyan responded by saying: "Dear colleagues, the September 2022 events unfolded before your eyes. Strategic partnership should mean strategic partnership. If we write "strategic partnership" in the document now, you will ask why Russia and the CSTO did not fulfill their security obligations in September 2022. What should I say to you?"
I still have questions/suggestions, Zakharova answered Pashinyan in her telegram channel.
"Nikol Vovaevich, the elections in your country have been held. You can no longer hang noodles on the ears of your population. Have the courage to tell the truth at least once, as it really was. In September 2022, there was an aggravation in the section of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. Russia provided assistance in order to achieve a peaceful settlement. Armenia then appealed to the CSTO, and the CSTO, contrary to your lies, promptly responded: A mission was sent to assess the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, namely on the Armenian territory, as it is assumed by the charter documents of the Organization. You then personally met in Yerevan with the Secretary General of the CSTO. Does it turn out, in your opinion, that he came to visit to see the beauty of the South Caucasus? No, it was the Mission of the CSTO, an organization that protects the territory of the member states. You have done nothing to ensure Armenia's security, either legally or politically," Zakharova stressed.
Moreover, the representative of Moscow reminded. In November 2022, a summit of the CSTO Collective Security Council was held in Yerevan. On the eve, serious work was done at the level of defense and foreign ministers to coordinate the decision on the deployment of the Organization's mission. The text was ready, it only remained for the leaders to sign it. Which, as we know, you, Nikol Vovaevich, refused, Zakharova addressed to the Prime Minister of Armenia. The decision provided, inter alia, the following: immediate political and diplomatic measures to ensure the territorial integrity of Armenia; provision of military-technical assistance, assistance to border troops in training and equipping with technical means, preparation of a plan for the operational deployment of the Collective Rapid Reaction Forces of the CSTO on the territory of Armenia. An important difference from European observers would be that the CSTO mission would be authorized not just to "look through binoculars", but to report directly on the situation at the border, to propose measures to resolve possible crisis situations.
Zakharova recalled other events of that autumn.
"On October 6, 2022 — three weeks after the border incidents you are now referring to, you are personally under the supervision of the EU, obviously believing Brussels and Paris, signed the Prague Declaration, which recognized the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Stated in plain text: "The territory of Azerbaijan is 86.6 thousand square kilometers, including Nagorno—Karabakh," Zakharova said.
She urged Pashinyan, if his hand twitches now, to call the ambassador or write another note of protest — think twice.
"Because then you will have to indicate which of the above does not correspond to reality. Everything that has been said above is a historical fact. Each thesis is supported by your own words, your own decisions. And when you are asked uncomfortable questions, stop absolving yourself of blame, shifting responsibility from yourself and shifting it to everyone you reach out to, who you personally don't like: Moscow, the CSTO, Azerbaijan, the previous leadership of Armenia, the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Armenian entrepreneurs with whom you are so active Now you are fighting for the Armenians of Karabakh, for their ancestors and for their children. It's shameless. Everyone is to blame for you. Only you are not to blame," Zakharova stressed.