RA MoD reports that bodies of two Armenian servicemen were found

On March 16, at around 21:10, at one of the combat positions located in the south-east direction of the Republic of Armenia the body of a serviceman Albert Siroyan (born in 2002) was found with a gunshot wound in the jaw area, the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia reports. An investigation is underway to fully clarify the circumstances of the incident.

Today, at around 10:30 in the territory of the military unit located in the southern direction of the Republic of Armenia, the body of a serviceman Eduard Rustamyan (born in 2003) was found with a gunshot wound, the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia reports.

RA MoD reports that information spread on social media that on March 16 units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces committed a provocation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, as a result of which one serviceman was killed and another wounded on the Armenian side, is incorrect. "We once again urge to rely solely on official reports when publishing information about the situation on the border."

The response of the Armenian MFA that Armenia has recognized the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan long ago is unacceptable for both Azerbaijan and the Armenian people. Former FM

Former Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan (1998-2008) provided the media with his article on the current stage of the Karabakh conflict.

The Russian-Ukrainian war has dramatically changed the geopolitical situation in the world, as well as in our region and around Nagorno-Karabakh. Without delving into the analysis of events taking place in the world, it's necessary to state several obvious facts:

Russia, our ally and guarantor of the fragile status quo in Karabakh, has found itself in a vulnerable position and in isolation from the West. Azerbaijan's ally, Turkey, acting as a mediator in the Russian-Ukrainian war, balancing its policy in the current situation, occupies a stronger position than before the outbreak of this war. Since the world's attention is focused on Ukraine, Azerbaijan is trying to make the best use of this situation by imposing on Armenia the implementation of its agenda through negotiations or, if it’s not possible, by force. To implement this agenda as soon as possible, Baku will try to use all possible levers, taking advantage of Armenia's weakened defense and negotiating positions. The cause of wars is often the consistent formation of expectations of the warring parties and their dissatisfaction in the end. Such elements were in the motives of the Russian-Ukrainian war. One of the main motives of the 44-day war was the belated or unfulfilled expectations of Azerbaijan about the concessions of the Armenian side in the period preceding the war. The same can be said about today. The calls and steps of the Armenian side for "peace" in the post-war period aroused great expectations in Turkey and Azerbaijan, and delaying or abandoning them will necessarily lead to war. Azerbaijan chose this moment to put Armenia before the fact of orientation and choice. Baku, on the one hand, is tightening the ring around Nagorno-Karabakh, violating the daily living conditions of residents, as well as threatening their security, on the other hand, presents Armenia with its five-day conditions for signing a peace treaty. It's obvious that no national government of Armenia can satisfy the requirement of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. The response of the Armenian Foreign Ministry that Armenia has recognized the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan long ago is incomprehensible and unacceptable for both Azerbaijan and the Armenian people. The fact that Artsakh is Armenia is irrefutable. The fate of Artsakh is predetermined. It's noteworthy that in the five preconditions presented by Azerbaijan, as far as I can see, the word "corridor" is not mentioned. At the same time, Azerbaijan has already begun the construction of a railway and roads through Iran to ensure land communication with Nakhichevan. Azerbaijan, pursuing the problem of obtaining a corridor through Syunik, from the very first day wanted to consolidate the mirror status of the Lachin corridor for this purpose. If, however, Azerbaijan today has a choice between obtaining a corridor through Syunik and taking the Lachin corridor at its disposal, then it will choose the latter. Given the current situation around Ukraine and the deepening sanctions against Russia, we need to be prepared for such developments. The problem of the Armenian side is that it doesn't have a clear agenda. Nobody knows what we want, what tasks we put on the table. The pursuit of peace is not an agenda if there is no clear national roadmap under it. In the negotiations, the Armenian side should strive not for peace, but for the establishment of a legitimate system, the cornerstone of which will be the satisfaction of the parties and the prospect of a just settlement. Only this can lead to stable peace. Azerbaijan doesn't seek peace in negotiations. It will seek through negotiations to complete its unfinished claims. The sooner the Armenian side forms and publishes its agenda, the less there will be a possibility of war in the future. In this agenda, the Armenian side should fix for itself two most important principles: a) consideration of the NKAO as an integral political unit; b) the right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination within the borders of the NKAO. I don't accept the widespread point of view that raising the issue of our claims to the lost territories of the NKAO will lead to military action. In diplomacy, the correct, reasonable and perceived formulation of issues is the main key to achieving success in negotiations. The formation of the Armenian agenda, its political, legal and historical justifications and the development of mechanisms for effective diplomatic prosecution and, finally, their bold promotion is the main imperative of our state.

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