Armenpress: Macron does not rule out sending Western troops to Ukraine

 10:15,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. President Emmanuel Macron of France said “nothing should be ruled out” after he was asked about the possibility of sending Western troops to Ukraine, The New York Times reports.

Mr. Macron, speaking on Feb. 26, after a meeting of European leaders in Paris to bolster support for Ukraine, stressed that the talks had not resulted in any consensus on putting troops on the ground “in an official, approved and endorsed way.” But he insisted that “anything is possible if it is useful to reach our goal,” which he said was to ensure that “Russia cannot win this war.”

His statements were a stark departure from the usual caution that Western leaders — including Mr. Macron himself — have exercised. They have repeatedly said that they want to avoid escalating the conflict and previously ruled out sending any ground troops to Ukraine.

Ahead of the conference, Prime Minister Robert Fico of Slovakia warned that some Western countries were considering sending soldiers to Ukraine, adding that he opposed the idea.

Mr. Macron did not explicitly say which countries supported or rejected such an option.

“I won’t dispel the ambiguity of tonight’s debates by naming names,” he said. “I’m saying that it was mentioned among the options.”

The gathering of nearly 30 heads of state and top officials drew officials mostly from European countries, including Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and Spain.

The conflict in Ukraine has been ongoing for two years. President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine said on Feb. 25 that 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed during the two years of war, acknowledging for the first time a concrete figure for Ukraine’s toll in the war. But, according to The New York Times, his tally is far lower than U.S. estimates, which put the death toll about 70,000.

Ararat-Eskijian Museum Research Center and UCLA’s Armenian Genocide Research Program launch Dadrian Archive Project

The Ararat-Eskijian Museum Research Center (AEMRC) and the Armenian Genocide Research Program (AGRP) within The Promise Armenian Institute at UCLA are proud to announce the launch of the Vahakn N. Dadrian Archive Project.

Professor Vahakn N. Dadrian (1926–2019) was a preeminent scholar of the Armenian Genocide and instrumental in establishing the larger field of genocide studies. He lectured and published widely in the field, leading to greater international recognition of the Armenian Genocide. His unique collection of archival materials and books is of extraordinary value to those researching the origins of the Armenian Genocide, the Genocide itself and its aftermath.

Throughout his long career, Professor Dadrian accumulated a wealth of material on the Armenian Genocide throughout the different archives in the world, American, British, German, French Armenian and Ottoman among them. His archive also has numerous unpublished manuscripts and newspapers from various languages. Before his death, he transferred these materials to the AEMRC. The Vahakn Dadrian Armenian Genocide Book Collection is now housed in The Edward L. Doheny Jr. Memorial Library located at the University of Southern California.

Professor Vahakn N. Dadrian

After a gradual process of herculean efforts and numerous trips across the nation transporting Professor Dadrian’s archives, the AEMRC initiated a project in 2009 to digitize his personal notes and archives of historical documents and make them available for future generations of researchers interested in furthering their knowledge of Armenian Genocide Studies and general genocide studies.

A total of 28,000 pages out of a total of 110,000 pages were digitized and indexed by 2018. It took two years to appropriately preserve the entire archive collection in special folders and boxes. This full archive has been available to scholars and researchers by in-person appointment only at the AEMRC. Due to a large grant received in 2023, we will be resuming the continuation of digitization and indexing of the remaining 80,000 pages.

Prof. Vahakn N. Dadrian’s collection of archival materials and books

We are also in the important process of facilitating the accessibility of the digitized collection, particularly to make it searchable through keywords for researchers. Dr. Anna Aleksanyan, a postgraduate student from Clark University, has been involved in these efforts. Dr. Aleksanyan is also currently on fellowship with the AGRP.

The Vahakn N. Dadrian Archive Project is led under the direction of Professor Taner Akçam, the inaugural director of the AGRP. This project is anticipated to be completed by December 2025. Upon completion, the entire collection will be available online.

The AGRP will host a webinar this spring to offer additional insight into the project.‍

The Ararat-Eskijian Museum was founded in June 1985 by Genocide survivor, Luther Eskijian, and includes a unique collection of Armenian artifacts as well as books and materials about the Armenian Genocide. The museum is also a cultural and educational center where scholars, artists, writers and community leaders can present current and historical subjects related to the Armenian people, as well as genocide education.

The Armenian Genocide Research Program (AGRP) was established within The Promise Armenian Institute at UCLA in early 2022. Led by Taner Akçam, Ph.D., the AGRP engages in research and scholarly activities pertaining to the study of the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire during the early 20th century.




Armenia, Azerbaijan To Hold Peace Talks In Germany From Wednesday

BARRON'S
Feb 26 2024
  • FROM AFP NEWS

Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers are set to hold peace talks in Berlin this week, both ministries said Monday, in a bid to resolve a decades-long conflict between the Caucasus countries.

The two states have struggled for the control of Azerbaijan's breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region, which Baku recaptured in September from Armenian separatists who had controlled it for decades.

"A meeting of the delegations of the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan will take place on February 28-29 in Berlin," Armenian foreign ministry spokeswoman Ani Badalyan said Monday on social media.

The meeting was planned "in line with the agreement reached at the Munich trilateral talks" during which Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev had spoken.

Their meeting had been mediated by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov confirmed he would be meeting Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan "over the coming days."

Tensions between the two countries have remained high since Baku re-captured Karabakh during a one-day offensive in September.

The operation triggered the exodus of most of the enclave's entire ethnic-Armenian population -– more than 100,000 people –- flee to Armenia.

Yerevan is concerned that Azerbaijan, emboldened by its success in Karabakh, could invade Armenian territory in order to create a land bridge to its Nakhichevan enclave.

Pashinyan and Aliyev previously said a peace agreement could have been signed by the end of last year, but internationally mediated peace talks have failed to yield a breakthrough.

mkh-im/brw/giv

Anticipation Grows for President Zelensky’s Potential Landmark Visit to Armenia

Feb 24 2024
Safak Costu

As whispers turn into conversations, the potential visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Armenia is stirring both curiosity and expectation among international observers. Amidst a landscape of shifting alliances and evolving geopolitical dynamics, such a visit could mark a significant pivot not just for Armenia and Ukraine, but for the broader region's security calculus. With official confirmation still pending, the anticipation underscores the intricate dance of diplomacy in our contemporary world.

In recent times, the relationship between Armenia and Ukraine has undergone a subtle yet unmistakable transformation. With Armenia expressing a desire to diversify its security relationships beyond its traditional ally, Russia, and Ukraine showing readiness to support Armenia in stabilizing the region, the stage seems set for a new chapter in bilateral relations. This potential visit, hinted at by Ukraine's charge d'affaires in Armenia and underscored by media reports, could symbolize a concrete step towards realizing these aspirations.

The backdrop to this evolving friendship is a shared understanding of the complexities inherent in navigating a world where security concerns are paramount. Armenia's outreach to other global players like the U.S., France, and India, alongside Ukraine, signals a nuanced strategy to enhance its geopolitical stance. Meanwhile, Ukraine, under President Zelensky's leadership, has been proactive in seeking partnerships that bolster its position amidst ongoing regional tensions.

At the heart of Zelensky's anticipated visit is the potential for deepened security cooperation between Armenia and Ukraine. Their previous meetings, notably between Zelensky and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in October 2023, laid the groundwork for discussions on security and bilateral cooperation. This upcoming visit could further these discussions, translating diplomatic goodwill into tangible agreements that could alter the security landscape of the region.

Furthermore, this visit comes at a time when both nations are reevaluating their positions within global and regional networks. For Armenia, diversifying its security portfolio is a step towards greater autonomy and resilience. For Ukraine, bolstering ties with Armenia is part of a broader strategy to strengthen its international alliances, thereby enhancing its strategic depth.

https://bnnbreaking.com/politics/anticipation-grows-for-president-zelenskys-potential-landmark-visit-to-armenia

Armenia suspends its participation in the CSTO

Kursiv, Kazakhstan
Feb 23 2024
Published  19:25

Olesya Bassarova

The participation of Armenia in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) has been ‘frozen’ while the issue of the presence of the Russian military base in Armenia is off the agenda, said Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan in an interview with France 24.

The media outlet also reported, citing the politician, that Armenian participation in the CSTO has been frozen due to Russia’s «open call on Armenian people to overthrow the current government.»

«The Kremlin’s propaganda against me has never stopped,» Pashinyan highlighted.

He also accused the official Baku of considering Armenia as ‘Western Azerbaijan’ and preparing an invasion of Armenia.

«Ilham Aliyev doesn’t want a peace agreement based on mutual recognition of territorial integrity. He wants to take control over new territories in Armenia,» the prime minister stated.

He also noted that peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan at the current moment is impossible.

In the middle of February, after a gunfight at the border Azerbaijan carried out a retaliatory military operation and destroyed a post of the Armenian military near the border. After the operation, Armenia reported the death of four members of its military personnel.

What do we know about the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh? The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan around Karabakh has lasted for 30 years.

In 2020, the long-lasting conflict rapidly escalated. After 45 days of fierce fighting, Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed the ceasefire agreement. The arrangement was also supported by Arayik Harutyunyan, head of self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh.

In May 2023, Pashinyan said that he would officially recognize the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan including Karabakh if the security of ethnic Armenians is guaranteed. Later, the two leaders confirmed the official recognition of the current borders of each other.

On September 9, 2023, the parliament of Karabakh chose 45-year-old Samvel Shahramanyan as the new president of the republic. Kazakhstan along with Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, the EU, Turkey, Moldova, Ukraine, Pakistan and the UK didn’t recognize the results of this presidential election.

In the same month, Azerbaijan conducted the second military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh to liquidate “the Stepanakert regime.” The operation lasted for just one day. On September 20, the two sides agreed to a ceasefire. On September 28, Shakhramanyan signed an edict that effectively liquidated the self-proclaimed republic starting from January 1, 2024. On October 5, 2023, Pashinyan signed a declaration that recognized Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan. 


Armenia says ‘froze’ participation in Moscow-led security bloc

The Hindu, India
Feb 23 2024

09:04 pm | Updated 09:06 pm IST – Yerevan

AFP

Armenia has suspended its participation in a Russia-led security bloc, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in an interview published on Friday, Yerevan's latest step to distance itself from Moscow.

Russia and Armenia have traditionally been allies but relations soured last year when Russian peacekeepers did not intervene to stop Azerbaijan taking control of Nagorno-Karabakh from the Armenian separatists who ran the enclave.

"In practice, we have frozen our participation in this organisation," Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told the France 24 channel, referring to the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO).

The bloc, a defence pact, is led by Russia and comprises several former Soviet republics.

AFP

Armenia has suspended its participation in a Russia-led security bloc, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in an interview published on Friday, Yerevan's latest step to distance itself from Moscow.

Russia and Armenia have traditionally been allies but relations soured last year when Russian peacekeepers did not intervene to stop Azerbaijan taking control of Nagorno-Karabakh from the Armenian separatists who ran the enclave.

"In practice, we have frozen our participation in this organisation," Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told the France 24 channel, referring to the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO).

The bloc, a defence pact, is led by Russia and comprises several former Soviet republics.

Armenia boycotted a CSTO summit at the end of last year.

"We believe that the CSTO did not fulfil its objectives vis-a-vis Armenia in 2021 and 2022," Pashinyan said in the interview.

He also accused Moscow of leading a "coordinated propaganda campaign" against him and his government.

The Kremlin said on Friday it had not received official confirmation that Armenia was leaving the CSTO.

"We intend to contact our Armenian colleagues to clarify its statements on CSTO," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agencies.

In September, Azerbaijani forces retook control of Nagorno-Karabakh in a 24-hour offensive that ended three decades of Armenian separatist rule over the enclave.

In a sign of its ambition for new security guarantees, Yerevan is seeking to rely more on its Western partners — mainly on France and the United States — than on Russia.

Moscow has for decades been the main moderator of the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh but has been bogged down by its two-year Ukraine offensive.

Armenia formally joined the International Criminal Court (ICC) at the start of February, despite Moscow warning the small Caucasus country against the move.

It is now obliged to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin if he sets foot on Armenian territory under an ICC arrest warrant issued for the Russian leader in March 2023.


Armenian Defense Minister meets French counterpart in Yerevan

 10:33,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan has held a meeting with his French counterpart Sébastien Lecornu who has arrived in Armenia on an official visit.

The welcoming ceremony with participation of the guard of honor and the military orchestra was held at the Ministry of Defense headquarters. The anthems of the two nations were played.

Politico earlier reported that French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s delegation during his upcoming Armenia trip will include defense companies MBDA, Nexter, Safran, Thales and Arquus.


Armenpress: Serbia to keep rejecting anti-Russian sanctions – Vucic

 12:02,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 20, ARMENPRESS. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic intends to maintain the independent policy on rejection of anti-Russian sanctions despite the colossal Western pressure, he said in an exclusive interview with TASS Director General Andrey Kondrashov.

"When the conflict in Ukraine started, I said that I don’t know how the events would unfold. And then we made a decision to condemn the conflict at the state level, just like everyone else, but we said that it is our position not to impose sanctions [against Russia]. I said it back then, because we know from our own experience what it feels like when sanctions are being imposed against us. We have a friendly nation, and it would have been unfair to do so to the Russian people," Vucic pointed out.

"But I have told the Serbs that I cannot guarantee that, because I don’t know what all this pressure will be like in the future. I was unwilling to play a hero for a day or two and then change my decision. But the fact that I say 'I don’t know,' and when I say 'I don’t know' - my word costs more than someone else’s firm promise," the head of state noted.

"Two years have passed [since the beginning of the special military operation.] Serbia is the only European country that has not imposed any sanctions. You have many friends in all European countries, and all of them have imposed sanctions against Russia. Some would say that it is the central authority that has imposed them and that they are against them; some would say that they have imposed sanctions against you but they help you in other matters. The small Serbia is the only country that has not imposed any sanctions," Vucic underscored, adding that "sanctions against Russia are the main topic" at every international event attended by him.

"We do not beat our breast or anything, but, as you can see, my answer will be the same in the future, that we will try to defend our position for as long as possible. We have been able to do that for two years already. I don’t know if we will keep doing that, but I hope for it," the head of state concluded.

After the beginning of the special military operation, Vucic said in his address to the nation that Serbia supports the territorial integrity of Ukraine, but will not impose sanctions against Russia. He announced that the republic temporarily suspended all military and police exercise with foreign partners. Vucic noted that Serbia considers Russia and Ukraine brotherly nations and regrets the events in Eastern Europe. He also announced that Belgrade is ready to provide humanitarian aid to Kiev.

Armenian Prime Minister accuses Russia and Azerbaijan of violating 2020 Nagorno- Karabakh ceasefire agreement

 13:46,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 19, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has blamed the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh for failing to protect the Armenians there.

“Article 9 of the 9 November 2020 trilateral statement doesn’t contain anything on any corridor through Armenia, it’s impossible to find it,” Pashinyan said at a meeting with Armenian community members in Munich, speaking about the Azeri narrative on the so-called Zangezur corridor and the 2020 ceasefire agreement. “There is nothing about some other country controlling any territory of Armenia. It is about the regional connections. You are aware that we developed and proposed the Crossroads of Peace project in order to fully present our stance. That’s our vision.”

Speaking about dangers, the Armenian PM said that the narrative used by Azeri leader Ilham Aliyev is a signal on present dangers.

“How should we withstand these dangers? First of all this should be managed in our international relations. What’s one of the reasons behind creating the Crossroads of Peace project? Azerbaijan was trying to create an impression as if we don’t want to provide a road to anyone. What’s being talked about, as if Russia is supposed to control something in our territory, there’s no such thing in article 9, not to mention all the remaining articles of the trilateral statement which were basically torn and thrown away by Azerbaijan and Russia. Referring to article 9 is no longer relevant because both Russia and Azerbaijan have completely violated their obligations under the remaining articles, no Armenians are left in Nagorno-Karabakh today. And this is also the responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping contingent deployed in Nagorno-Karabakh, the goal of which was supposed to be the protection of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh,” PM Pashinyan said.

EU increases humanitarian aid to displaced Karabakh Armenians with €5.5 million

 16:58,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Today, the European Commission is allocating an additional €5.5 million in humanitarian aid to support the Armenians displaced from the Nagorno-Karabakh region, the EU Delegation to Armenia said in a press release.  

“Many of the people who fled to Armenia during the last year's mass exodus took little to no belongings with them, leaving them dependent on emergency aid.

“€1.5 million of this funding is assigned for disaster preparedness to enhance the resilience of vulnerable communities to potential crises. The remaining €4 million of humanitarian funding is mainly focusing on providing the displaced Karabakh Armenians with regular cash transfers and vouchers to help them cover their basic needs.

“Through its humanitarian partners, the EU aims to support people in need with access to food, shelter healthcare, mental health services, and protection.

“Underlining EU's humanitarian support to Karabakh Armenians, Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, said: “This is the first winter for thousands of Karabakh Armenians who fled to Armenia last Autumn. In these challenging times, it is our humanitarian duty to provide protection and assistance to the people most in need. With this new €5.5 million funding, we will aim to further strengthen the existing EU humanitarian response to the displaced people in Armenia, by providing them with access to basic services.”

“This funding comes in addition to the €12.2 million already announced by the European Commission in response to the mass exodus of Karabakh Armenians in September 2023,” reads the press release.