The text of a secret letter addressed by former Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan to Russian leader Vladimir Putin has emerged.
Modern.az reports that the letter was published today on the website of the Armenian government.
The letter confirms that despite the Armenian leadership creating an image of being a “pro-peace” party for years, it actually approached the process from a maximalist, non-constructive position that contradicted Azerbaijan's territorial integrity.
In his letter, Sargsyan demanded that the separatists in Karabakh be recognized as a “full-fledged party” at all stages of negotiations, requested that the results of the separatist “referendum” held in 1991 be considered the main legal basis for future status, and conditioned Azerbaijan's withdrawal from the occupied regions solely on security guarantees provided by Russia.
The most striking point in the letter is Armenia's open call for pressure to be exerted on Azerbaijan through Russia, and even its proposal to “start the process of recognizing the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh” if Baku does not accept the demands.
It appears from the document that Armenia sought not a balanced solution in the negotiations, but effectively the preservation of the status quo, the legitimization of the separatist regime, and the non-return of the occupied territories. Sargsyan attempts to view Russia's mediation role not as a neutral mechanism, but as a means of political pressure against Baku, and openly demands that Moscow use its influence in the region.
The letter also indicates that despite Armenia being presented to international mediators as a constructive party for years, it had no intention of taking steps towards peace in real negotiations. The document presents the “peace for territories” format proposed by Baku as the most dangerous scenario, emphasizing that Armenia would not back down from its maximalist position instead of compromising.
This letter puts an end to questions regarding the sincerity of Armenia's previous leadership in the negotiation process: official Yerevan has for years blocked paths leading to stability in the region, manipulated the peace process, and attempted to neutralize Azerbaijan's legitimate demands by using the Russian factor.
The emerged document shows that one of the main reasons for the conflict's prolongation for nearly 30 years was Armenia's unrealistic maximalist policy and its position aimed at maintaining the status quo rather than achieving peace.
