In a recent statement, Serzh Sargsyan, former President of Armenia, took to Twitter to articulate a profound assertion regarding the ongoing Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The crux of his message affirmed that the resolution of such a deep-seated conflict cannot be enforced with a single person’s proclamation.
Amidst this political turmoil, Armenia’s relations with Russia have deteriorated significantly. The Russian embassy in Yerevan condemned the temporary suspension of the local branch of Russian broadcaster, Sputnik. The Armenian commission responsible for television and radio imposed a 30-day suspension on Sputnik Armenia’s license, sparked by offensive remarks made by a Russian TV personality. Sputnik, a state-run Russian media organization, has been accused of disseminating Kremlin disinformation.
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict’s resolution sparked a wave of contrasting reactions. The announcement triggered jubilations in Azerbaijan, while Armenia was plunged into a political crisis. Angry protestors stormed government buildings and the parliament, leading to injuries and hospitalizations.
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict escalated in 1988 when the Karabakh Armenians demanded the region’s transfer from Soviet Azerbaijan to Soviet Armenia, leading to the First Nagorno-Karabakh War. The recent conflict in 2020 led to a significant Azerbaijani victory, resulting in thousands of casualties and an armistice established by a tripartite ceasefire agreement. Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Republic of Artsakh has led to a humanitarian crisis for the population of Artsakh, violating the 2020 ceasefire agreement and international legal rulings.