What is happening before and after the [Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh)] war [in the fall of 2020] is happening because of these anti-state, destructive authorities. Eduard Sharmazanov, National Assembly ex-deputy speaker as well as vice-chairman and spokesperson of the former ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), told this to Armenian News-NEWS.am.

"In one part they say, 'What genocide?' In another part they say, 'What Artsakh status?' They say we must lower the bar on the matter of the status of Artsakh. Who is the 'international community?' Are Turkey and Azerbaijan the 'international community?' The international community stands with those who keep their homeland," Sharmazanov said.

According to him, Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan did not learn about the negotiation process from the former presidents, but from his "constructive" colleague: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

"This man [i.e., Pashinyan] has put forward theories in 3-4 years that even the Azerbaijani propaganda has not put forward. Or what does it matter who left what negotiation legacy? (…). During [preceding Armenian President and RPA chairman] Serzh Sargsyan's talks, Aliyev was saying, 'Behind closed doors, they are forcing us to recognize Artsakh's independence.' But now Pashinyan is saying that the international community is forcing us to lower the [Artsakh] status bar," he said.

As per Sharmazanov, all former Armenian leaders should put aside their differences, come together, and make a decision because Armenia is facing very serious challenges, and the question of its existence is put.

"Armenian blood is shed on every square [meter] in Artsakh. I say again: this is not only an Artsakh issue, this is a matter of the dignity of the Armenian people. The movement in [19]88 was not only for the people of Artsakh; this is a pan-Armenian issue. After the [Armenian] Genocide, the Artsakh issue is our national awakening," Eduard Sharmazanov added.