Kostanyan: Armenia expected a more adequate response from both Russia and CSTO after Azerbaijan's 2022 September aggression
YEREVAN, September 4. /ARKA/. Armenia expected a different, more adequate reaction from both Russia and the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in September 2022, when Azerbaijan attacked the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia, Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan said on Monday.
"Open and honest discussions are underway with Russian colleagues," Kostanyan told reporters in parliament. The Armenian side, he said, expresses concern over the lack of proper steps on the part of the Russian Federation.
In an interview with Italian La Repubblica newspaper last week, Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan said that Armenia’s policy of solely relying on Russia to guarantee its security was a strategic mistake 'because Moscow has been unable to deliver and is in the process of winding down its role in the wider region.'
Nikol Pashinyan also accused Russia of failing to ensure Armenia's security in the face of aggression from neighboring Azerbaijan.
Russia was quick to respond to Pashinyan's accusation, saying it was extremely dissatisfied with the latest public statements made by he Armenian leadership, including Armenian Prime Minister's statements in an interview with Italian newspaper La Repubblica.
A Russian diplomat was quoted by the state-run Tass news agency as saying that Russia was not going to leave the South Caucasus region as Armenia's closest friend and neighbor, but Yerevan should not become a tool of the West to push Russia out.
"In fact, the West is trying to push Russia out of the South Caucasus, using Yerevan as a means of realizing this goal. Russia, as Armenia's closest neighbor and friend, does not intend to leave the region. However, it should be a two-way street: Armenia should not become a tool of the West to push Russia out," the source told TASS.
On September 13, 2022 Azerbaijan launched an unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Armenia's regions of Syunik, Gegharkunik and Vayots Dzor.
Using heavy artillery, multiple rocket launchers and combat UAVs, the Azerbaijani armed forces shelled 36 residential areas and communities, including the towns of Goris, Jermuk, Vardenis, Kapan located within the sovereign territory of Armenia.
The Azerbaijani attack deliberately targeted civilian population and vital civilian infrastructures. According to official information, 207 Armenian citizens, both military personnel and civilians were killed and went missing, 293 servicemen were wounded, 3 civilians and 20 servicemen were taken captives. -0-
