April 23, 2026
The problem of the opposition forces participating in the upcoming parliamentary elections is neither ideological nor programmatic. The oppositions have a chance to succeed only if they can justify and convince people during the same simple and non-camera communication with people, that what will be held on June 7 is not an election, but a dilemma in the most direct, thickest sense of that concept.
That day is not a day of diversity and plurality decision, as elections are in normal countries, but an either-or, on one side of which is the possibility of the CP government and the non-existence of Armenia, at least a substantive state, and on the other, the non-guaranteed, nevertheless, possibility of preserving at least something from what is.
To convince people of this, neither conservative nor progressive, nor liberal or socialist ideologies are needed, just as there is no need for pay-as-you-go programs written on a paid basis with hollow promises predicting creaky indicators.
The June 7 event, which is commonly called a national election, is actually an anti-state event by the rules of today’s game. Because choice, in its classical sense, will lead to an image that will not result in a state.
The oppositions, not changing this conceptual approach to what is happening and what needs to be done, and getting stuck in the race of pre-election noises, contribute to the reproduction of power by contributing more than the executioners of the Communist Party, taken together.
The ideologies, programs, debates about them, which have turned into cannibalism among the opposition, with the most spectacular and equally disgusting scenes of eating each other’s flesh, are a dead end in which everyone will remain. From meat eaters to bystanders and society. Only CP will come out of it and come out victorious. Victory to his own society.
This is not to say that ideologies and programs are not important. It’s just that they can make sense only if society treats what it is doing on June 7 unconditionally as a commitment to choose not life in the dilemma of life and death, but the infinitesimal possibility of life.
Otherwise, to pension the increase by such a percentage, salary increase by another percentage and other measurable, arithmetical promises of June 7 will only embolden the CP to power, making it unimportant which of the opposition’s programs was more resonant and which was more promising.
In the case of the continuation of the CP’s rule, all these programs will at most turn into sticks in the fire of the fire that is burning Armenia.
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In 2018, I was nominated to guarantee the safety of Armenia and Artsakh
April 23, 2026
Serzh Sargsyan’s statement on the eighth anniversary of his resignation.
“Dear people,
I am addressing you not as a politician, but as an Armenian, as a person whose life and destiny are inseparable from this land and water, this country. Our party has already announced its decision not to participate in the upcoming elections. This is not just a political position, but a unified, considered and argued decision, a historical decision.
In the spring of 2018, when my team and I left, we did so in compliance with your will. Eight years ago, in my resignation statement, I wrote a sentence that, due to the editing of one of the beneficiaries of the text and the subsequent manipulation of my “great” friends, they tried to make a stigma for me.
I have made right and wrong decisions throughout my life. My most correct and difficult decision was “breaking my own promise” and 2018. was to be nominated for the post of prime minister.
Unfortunately, it was also my biggest mistake, because I failed to explain to our people that the purpose of my nomination was not to keep the power, but to ensure the security of Karabakh and Armenia. Yes, Nicole was right, she was ready to go all the way and had no red line, I shouldn’t have run. And I made a mistake, thinking that we will be able to explain to our people that my departure in a difficult negotiation situation will lead to a disaster. It was obvious to me that changing the negotiator at that stage of the negotiations, nullifying the history of the negotiations will have a tragic consequence. something that happened. Not that I was the best negotiator, but that I deeply knew all the parties participating in the negotiations, had institutional memory and knew the value of Karabakh and the victory as a member of the team that created that victory and then kept it.
Yes, Nikol was right: I could not explain, but he managed to deceive our people.
2018 As a result of running for prime minister, I lost a lot, from not being understood to being rejected by my people as a result, but years later, I can say for sure that I would go through that purgatory again because I was sure that we would avoid any disaster that way.
I could not explain to the people because the people did not want to listen. I was “wrong” to be right.
In 2018, I was nominated to guarantee the security of Armenia and Artsakh, so that there would be no bloodshed at the borders, then I resigned in order to prevent bloodshed within the borders. And today, eight years after my resignation, a strong part of the people believes that Nikol’s power exists as long as the “formers” are in the first line of the political struggle against him.
I submit to this demand of the people as well. if the participation of me and the Republican party will contribute even one percent to the reproduction of today’s administration, we are taking a step back in order to give people the opportunity to express their will soberly, without emotions, and for the other opposition forces to make their promise of a change of power a reality without hindrance.
I started my career with the formation of the self-defense forces of Artsakh and considered it the greatest honor of my life to be a participant in the creation of the victory of our people and to preserve that victory. During its administration, the Republican Party has done everything for the sake of safe Armenia and Armenian Artsakh, to preserve and cherish the greatest victory of the Armenian people in the last hundred years. Of course, there have been mistakes and disappointments, but, in my deep conviction, those mistakes are forgivable and recoverable, and the proof of this is that today we go out among our people with an open front and a clear conscience.
It is no secret that the Republican Party did not want to participate in the 2021 elections, but we had to take that step. Unlike the unequivocal victory preached by the opposition, sociology suggested something else. We took part in those elections in order to try to prevent the final betrayal and surrender of Artsakh. It was obvious that the impostor who signed the capitulation with the lie that “we will win” for 44 days, who promised the de-occupation of Artsakh in the 2021 campaign, would actually surrender Artsakh behind the people and leave Artsakh Armenians alone against the enemy, as a result opening the gates of Armenia to the enemy.
Months ago, the Republican Party proposed the impeachment bill as the only realistic way to get rid of these authorities. It was clear to us that they and their foreign sponsors have already started falsifying the elections, imprisoning dissidents, distributing election bribes from the budget at the expense of doubling the state debt, and turning a blind eye to the growing illegalities.
In our opinion, fair and competitive elections were impossible under these conditions. However, unfortunately, our parliamentary colleagues chose a different path, waiting for the elections. I wish them success in justifying that decision.
I am convinced that in order to ensure the victory of the opposition in this situation, a large unification is necessary to prevent the dusting of votes, which will serve the interests of the current administration. The Republican party will continue to maintain its weighty role as an extra-parliamentary force for the sake of historical memory, dignity and the Armenian dream.
The group that uprooted Armenia, brought it to its knees, buried it in debt and flooded it with lies must leave. The alternative is terrible – horror for our country, our people and the next generation. It’s terrible for them, they just don’t realize it yet. It is necessary to wake up so that it is not too late.
Dignified peace, logic and harmony to our country and people.”
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“With this, Nikol Pashinyan is saying to the enemy. “Live, what you have done, you have done well, s
April 23, 2026
Today, after the Cabinet session, Nikol Pashinyan gave another briefing, during which one of the journalists asked whether he is ready to publicly commit to supporting the punishment of war crimes in the territory of Armenia, even if it concerns the military and political elite of Azerbaijan.
Answering, Nikol Pashinyan once again stated what he has been saying all the time in recent years: such issues should not be raised so that there is no war.
“I have decided for myself that I will address these topics with the maximum directness, as I said in response to the previous questions: it’s all a double-edged sword. We must not forget the message of the New Testament: “with what judgment you judge, with the same judgment you will be judged, with the same measure you measure, with the same measure you will be measured.” I do not agree that you and I should look each other in the eye and deceive each other and, even more, deceive our people, because it is a double-edged sword. These rumors exist now, the facts by the way, no one denies it, but we need to understand what we are talking about. And this is the trap from which we cannot get out, my opinion is that we have to get out of that trap, and we are getting out. We should be fried in our oil, each of us in our own oil,” he said mentioned Nikol Pashinyan.
He also said during the briefing that the cases of vandalism carried out by Azerbaijan in Artsakh will not be discussed at the state level.
Artak Beglaryan, former state minister of Artsakh, human rights defender according to him, Nikol Pashinyan’s behavior is not surprising at all, if he made statements and claims contrary to this statement, then it would be surprising.
“There is nothing to be surprised about, Nikol Pashinyan’s level of insolence and illegality is very high. The Republic of Armenia has assumed clear obligations, it does not fulfill those obligations, not to mention the other things, which is not only a real real responsibility, but also a political, moral, etc. Most importantly, this impunity and encouragement promotes new crimes: both the destruction of cultural heritage and war crimes, the killing of civilians during war crimes, torture, etc. 168.amArtak Beglaryan said in a conversation with
According to our interlocutor, the mere fact that Azerbaijan’s war crimes, the destruction of Armenian monuments by it will not be discussed at the state level in any way, will be ignored, means that Nikol Pashinyan is saying to the enemy. “Live, what you have done, you have done well, after this, do it again, there will not be any consistent step by any state so that justice wins.”
“All this means that he encourages new crimes against the Armenian people and Armenia.” added Artak Beglaryan.
Continuing, Artak Beglaryan also noted that the work carried out by individuals in various international structures against Azerbaijan’s war crimes cannot produce significant results as long as there is direct inaction at the state level in this direction.
“Actually, all these efforts are blocking, because no matter how weak the international mechanisms are, they still depend on the political will of the states, and the political will of the states is formed as a result of diplomacy. In other words, the position of the current RA authorities prevents other states from taking any steps for justice and the restoration of our rights, including the right of return, protection of cultural heritage, prevention of new crimes, etc.
What we are doing is important, but it is more important to keep them on the agenda, and if we are more or less successful, under more favorable conditions, especially in the presence of state efforts, they can complement the state efforts and can provide a strategic addition,” emphasized Artak Beglaryan.
Let’s remind that as a result of Azerbaijani vandalism, the Stepanakert Cathedral of St. Mary of Hovan was completely destroyed.
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The Ministry of Defense on the acquisition of weapons from Russia
April 23, 2026
On April 18, “Armenia will purchase weapons from Russia. will we take advantage of such an opportunity within the framework of the CSTO?” article: we published, based on which Nikol Pashinyan’s statement in a briefing with journalists was: “We have an agreement to implement the previously reached military-technical agreements”.
On the same day 168.amsent a written request to the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia, in which we included Pashinyan’s answer to the journalist’s question regarding the agreement to purchase weapons from Russia.
In our survey, we also recalled the statement made by RA Defense Minister Suren Papikyan at a meeting with journalists in 2025 that “an agreement was reached between the Ministry of Finance of Armenia and Russia that the amount paid by us will be reduced from the interstate debt.”
In other words, from the structure led by Suren Papikyan, we tried to find out what agreement Nikol Pashinyan is talking about, what contract, when was it signed and at what cost, what weapons or systems are we going to acquire from Russia, is it about the Tor-M2MK system?
Within 5 days, the Ministry of Defense sends a response letter, in which it is mentioned about the refusal to provide the information requested by us, and as a basis, the provisions of Article 8, Clause 1, Sub-Clause 1 of the RA Law on “Freedom of Information” and the RA Government dated 11.01.2024 are mentioned. The requirements of Clause 15 of Resolution N5Z-N, as well as Clauses 159, 171 and 172 of the Annex to Order N 797-Л of the RA Minister of Defense of May 16, 2024 “On Approving the Expanded Departmental List of Encrypted Information of the RA Defense System”.
By and large, the structure led by Suren Papikyan does not deny Nikol Pashinyan’s statement.
Let us add that earlier Suren Papikyan had refused provide the information about the price tags of weapons promised by Pashinyan, and which countries, apart from Russia, before 2018 weapon to sell Armenia and which countries later refused, where did the factory D-30 come from? Ahead is the exhibition of the weapons purchased in recent years on May 28 in Republic Square, let’s wait and see if there will be any Russian weapons or systems in them.
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The Azerbaijani government continues to target Armenian Christian churches
April 23, 2026
We were indignantly informed that the Azerbaijani authorities leveled the St. Hakob Church of Stepanakert city and the khachkars and monuments in the surrounding area, which according to Azerbaijani sources were allegedly illegal structures and should be dismantled. The information received regarding the destruction of the Saint Astvatsatsin Mother Cathedral of Stepanakert is also very worrying. This is stated in the statement issued by the Mother See.
The Mother See of Saint Etchmiadzin strongly condemns the consistent destruction of the spiritual and cultural heritage of Artsakh carried out by the Azerbaijani authorities. It is obvious that the government of Azerbaijan continues to target the Armenian Christian sanctuaries with the aim of erasing the Armenian trace from Artsakh.
This vandalism carried out at the state level proves once again that Azerbaijan’s anti-Armenian policy has not undergone any change, which makes the statements about establishing a stable and long-term peace with Armenia doubtful.
The Mother See of Saint Etchmiadzin calls on the head of the RA government and the representatives of the government to take urgent and effective steps to prevent the systematic appropriation and destruction of Artsakh’s spiritual and cultural heritage.
We also call on all states and international organizations interested in the preservation of cultural heritage, peaceful coexistence and cooperation of peoples in the region to take effective measures to stop cultural crimes in Artsakh.
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The issue of the top of the cascade was resolved. The 20 billion project will be implemented by Arme
April 23, 2026
The government recognized the surrounding areas of the Cascade cultural hub project as a priority interest. the project was included in the agenda of the session of today, April 23, in the package of non-reportable issues.
«23.10.2025 of the Government of the Republic of Armenia “On approving the investment plan, giving consent and authorizing the granting of a plot of land with the right of development to JTB DEVELOPMENT SP without a tender and the expropriation of a plot of land in the form of direct sale” no. By Decision 1499-A (hereinafter: Decision), the RA Government approved the investment program of the “Cascade Cultural Hub” architectural project, which essentially consists of two components
By the above-mentioned decision, the mayor of Yerevan was authorized on behalf of the Republic of Armenia with “GTB DEVELOPMENT” JSC. to seal the land in the city of Yerevan with a plot of land intended for zone B2 from the northern part, a plot of land stretching from the western part to the steps of the Cascade complex, from the southern part by a road and from the eastern side later as a plot subject to urban greening, in an area of about 1.8 ha, in accordance with Part 3 of Article 7 of Annex No. intended to be an agreement defining the rights, duties and responsibilities of the state and the acquirer during the process of expropriation of property.
The contract was signed on March 18, 2026,” says the justification of the project.
The author of the project is the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures.
And “GTB DEVELOPMENT” LLC, implementing the project, will invest 20 billion 46 million drams for the project, it was also said that in parallel with the reconstruction works of the “Cascade” complex, the investing company will be given the opportunity to build a multi-functional complex on the right side of “Cascade”, the project of which will be drawn up and architectural solutions will be provided by Jean-Michel Wilmot, the complex and “Cascade” taking into account the need to ensure harmony between the existing and reconstructed sections and the existing environment.
The entire project is expected to be completed in five years. The justification also clarifies that the adoption of the decision does not impose an additional financial burden on the state or municipal budgets. all expenses will be realized at the expense of private investments.
“GTB Development” LLC was founded in 2024․ on October 24․ the real main beneficiary is Grigor Ter-Ghazaryan with 97.5 percent (1 percent participation by Indian citizen Sulakhan Singh, 1.5 percent by American citizen Bobby Singh Kang). Ter-Ghazaryan is the son-in-law of Armen Sargsyan, the brother of the leader of the Republic Party Aram Sargsyan. Aram Sargsyan is one of the supporters of Nikol Pashinyan, and the “Republic” party is represented in the Yerevan Council of Elders.
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A strategic pause, a realignment or a pause in the war? Trump extension
April 23, 2026
US President Donald Trump has announced that at the request of Pakistan, he is extending the two-week ceasefire with Iran established on April 8, which expires on April 22. It is noted that the ceasefire is being extended indefinitely.
On the Truth Social platform, Trump wrote that attacks on Iran will be suspended until “the leaders and representatives of that country can come up with a joint proposal.” At the same time, the blockade of Iranian ports will continue.
“Therefore, I have instructed our armed forces to continue the blockade and remain ready and capable in all aspects. The cease-fire will be extended until they present an offer and the discussions are completed, one way or another,” added Trump.
In another post, the US president noted that Iran does not want the Strait of Hormuz to remain closed because it loses $500 million a day. According to Trump, if the naval blockade of Iran ends, “there will never be a deal until we blow up the rest of their country, including their leaders.”
Iran’s Minister of Agriculture also stated that the blockade of Iranian ports by the US had little effect on the country’s ability to supply basic goods and food, noting the high level of domestic production and alternative import routes. “Despite the blockade of the US Navy, we have no problem with the supply of basic goods and food, because due to the size of the country, it is possible to make imports from different borders,” stated the Minister of Agriculture.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked President Trump for extending the ceasefire with Iran on behalf of himself and Field Marshal Asim Munir at the X, noting that it would allow diplomatic efforts to continue. He expressed hope that both sides will continue to maintain the ceasefire and reach a comprehensive peace agreement during the second round of negotiations planned in Islamabad.
Despite the US extension of the ceasefire, Britain’s Maritime Operations Center said that Iranian forces had fired on two cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz, seriously damaging one.
Majid Mousavi, commander of the Aerospace Forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, threatened Iran’s southern neighbors with the destruction of their oil industry if the territory of those countries is used for attacks on Iran.
This situation indicates that a delicate balance has been created in the Middle East, where the parties are trying to avoid a full-scale war while maintaining the maximum pressure levers. Trump’s decision to extend the ceasefire but maintain the naval blockade is a classic “whip and donut” policy with several strategic layers.
168.amin a conversation with Russian Turkologist Viktor Nadein-Raevsky said that Washington’s waiting for the Iranian proposal is like a strategic pause, which will give an opportunity to understand how to behave in the future and to reorganize in general, to review the future scenarios of developments.
According to him, this stage is also a similar stage for Tehran, which was able to reach this decision by its resistance. At the same time, according to the analyst, with this latest phase of the war, the current US administration realized that a direct military conflict has unpredictable consequences for the world economy, particularly the energy market.
“Waiting for an offer from Iran, the USA throws the ball into Tehran’s court. Along with all this, the US believes that the blockade causes great damage to Iran, so it is more appropriate not to spend a lot of money on the war itself, but to exhaust Iran with the blockade. However, narrow specialists express different opinions about this calculation. Another important circumstance is that by considering Pakistan’s mediation, the US shows its allies that it is taking them into account. This is important against the background of the decline of the USA’s reputation and reputation as an ally after the developments with the Persian Gulf countries,” said Victor Nadein-Raevsky.
He does not consider this to be a cessation of war, the parties are trying to maintain a policy of maximum pressure on each other, without large-scale military clashes, which could resume at any moment.
“Without hot military operations, however, the war situation, the atmosphere is maintained with all its risks. Naturally, if it is not possible to find some possible deal formula during this pause, the situation will become much more dangerous. However, in Iran, taking into account the previous attempts to negotiate, they understand that simply participating in the negotiation does not solve any issue, the negotiation does not protect against aggression, so there is a way to go and come to a new situation of relations,” he said.
For the South Caucasus and other regions, he said, all this means that the tension in the neighborhood is maintained at the same level, which implies a responsible foreign policy and a correct balancing policy between the East and the West.
“Tensions around Iran are directly projected onto the South Caucasus, where Armenia and Azerbaijan face a difficult choice, having a neighbor Iran that has hard-line positions, and a partner US at a stage of relations when the US is a mediator in the region and is trying to implement big projects.
For the South Caucasus, this means a period of high alert. While superstates are waiting for each other’s proposals, small regional players should also make their own observations, position themselves and be ready for all possible scenarios.
Naturally, the main problematic topic for Iran in this region is American activity in the South Caucasus, we are talking about activity in the direction of both Armenia and Azerbaijan, and participation in political and logistical projects, which, as everyone knows, concern Tehran. Today, that concern will be more, therefore, the problems with Iran will be more in that regard. And how the interests of Iran and the USA will be reconciled in the region,” said Victor Nadein-Raevsky.
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Aliyev’s non-mirror answer to Pashinyan
April 23, 2026
No matter how much Nikol Pashinyan and his political team try to legitimize the various statements and demands coming from Baku against Armenia, saying that they are a mirror, including the statements stemming from the “Western Azerbaijan” state project and not only, they have nothing to do with reality.
We have written more than once that Aliyev himself never considered the “Western Azerbaijan” state-political program, which is consistently promoted, as a mirror, but considered it in the context of human rights.
The President of Azerbaijan has not voiced statements consistent with Nikol Pashinyan’s statements on historical-political or legal-political issues, if not to say the exact opposite.
Latest fresh examples. Nikol Pashinyan is trying to change the model of patriotism inherited from his ancestors and parents among the Armenian society and the Armenian youth, injecting the thesis that it was imperial, non-state and dictated and authored by foreigners. And it doesn’t matter that what is offered to us in the logic of “real Armenia” is actually imposed, dictated, which implies a rejection of Armenian history with its mistakes and successes. Pashinyan’s government is trying to convince us that this way we will be more perceptible by foreigners and the international community. Perceptible or incapable of resistance, weak, serving the interests of outsiders and easy? digestible
There is also a manipulation here. Pashinyan and CP say one thing: if we don’t erase our history and start from scratch, a war will start, we can’t settle relations with Turkey, and another, contradicting themselves, they declare that Azerbaijan does not allow Turkey to negotiate with Armenia. Alen Simonyan announced the other day.
At the time, during Serzh Sargsyan’s rule, in fact, Azerbaijan was an obstacle that prevented the implementation of the Armenian-Turkish protocols, in fact, at that time, Armenia was ready to regulate relations with Turkey without preconditions, but this did not mean giving up its own history, the facts of the past, and writing “modern history” from the zero point. But, when today the authorities say that Azerbaijan is hindering…, when there have been so many concessions by Armenia, an objective question arises: does this once again show that the peace is not really stable?
Let’s return to Pashinyan’s model of “patriotism” and note that at the 9th Congress of the Council of Elders he announced:
«The growing threats in the world, especially the erosion of national and spiritual and family values in many countries as a result of the harmful influence of globalization and social networks, once again emphasize the importance and role of the Institute of Elders in Azerbaijan. Educating our youth in the spirit of national patriotism and attachment to one’s own roots and putting them on the right path is one of the main tasks of our older generation.”
Is this equivalent to what Nikol Pashinyan teaches?
Moreover, during a regular briefing after the Cabinet meeting today, one of the journalists asked Nikol Pashinyan whether he is ready to publicly commit to supporting the punishment of war crimes in the territory of the Republic of Armenia, even if it refers to the military and political elite of Azerbaijan, to which he stated that such conversations are a double-edged sword.
Then there was also a question about the cases of vandalism carried out by Azerbaijan in Artsakh, to which Pashinyan answered that they will not be discussed at the state level.
And parallel to this, the Azerbaijani propaganda media unanimously published articles about Armenian “vandalism”, which, in particular, “happened” in Aghdam, Akna and Shushi. Moreover, on the national self-determination day of Turkey, which ensured the victory of Azerbaijan in the 44-day war, the delegation of the Defense National University of that country visited the occupied Shushi, accompanied by soldiers and officers of the Azerbaijani army, where some episodes of the 44-day war were recalled.
In Baku today, they also remembered how 3 years ago on these days, a checkpoint was placed on the border with Armenia on the Lachin-Stepanakert road, establishing control over the Lachin corridor, which was outside the tripartite document of November 9, 2020. However, in Azerbaijan, without hiding, they consider this another stage of state policy after the 44-day war, which should lead to the complete depopulation of Artsakh.
And in Yerevan today, the traditional torch procession organized by the Dashnaktsutyun will take place, which may make Nikol Pashinyan cringe, especially when it takes place on the day of Turkey’s national self-determination…
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There is no connection between the members of the Diocesan Council of Artsakh and Bishop Vrtanes
April 23, 2026
Even last year, on November 27, Nikol Pashinyan published a video on his Facebook page, stating that he had met with a group of bishops of the Apostolic Church, and there was only one issue on the agenda of the meeting: the removal of His Holiness the Patriarch from the Catholicosic throne. Among the bishops who met with Nikol Pashinyan, the leader of the Artsakh Diocese Vrtanes shocked people the most. The Armenians of Artsakh were first shocked by the action of the leader of the Diocese, then they were angry and decided to go to him personally and find out why he joined Nikol Pashinyan’s anti-Church and anti-Catholic campaign and came out against the Patriarch.
Of course, none of the Artsakh Armenians received the answer to this question from Bishop Vrtanes personally, but the bishops who met with Nikol Pashinyan received the name “tiradav”.
It seemed that, taking into account the anger of the Artsakh Armenians, the leader of the Diocese of Artsakh would understand all the shame and consequences of his action and return to his original functions, that is, dealing with the spiritual and cultural problems of the Artsakh Armenians and keeping them united, but it did not happen, because weeks after meeting with Nikol Pashinyan, on December 18, 10 “tyrants” went to the Mother See, joining against the Church of St. Etchmiadzin “attacked” several dozen people and former priests who were disorganized.
This step of Bishop Vrtanes upset and surprised the members of the Diocesan Council of Artsakh, although after the meeting with Nikol Pashinyan, he issued a statement stating that “he participated in the meeting with Pashinyan as a member of the episcopal committee of the Mother See, and it has nothing to do with the Artsakh issue and the issues that concern our compatriots.” This statement, of course, angered the Artsakh Armenians even more.
During these months, Reverend Vrtanes did not have any contact with media representatives, he left all phone calls unanswered.
Today, we learned that the members of the Artsakh diocesan council last met with Bishop Vrtanes on December 8, after that several members of the diocese, including the chairman, have nothing to do with him.
Today, there is no connection between the members of the diocesan council and Bishop Vrtanes, the members of the diocesan council mainly work with the Mother See without the mediation of Bishop Vrtanes.
According to our source, Reverend Vrtanes probably realized the serious consequences of his actions while remaining in isolation, and he has to publicly admit that he made a big mistake by joining the false agenda put forward by Nikol Pashinyan.
Let’s remind that last year, on May 26, Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, went to Bern, Switzerland, and participated in the “Religious Freedom” organized by the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Swiss Protestant Church. at the international forum entitled “Preservation of the Armenian spiritual, cultural and historical heritage in Artsakh/Nagar Karabakh”. During the conference, His Holiness addressed not only the issues of preservation of the spiritual and cultural heritage in Artsakh, but also the return of prisoners and Armenians of Artsakh held illegally in Baku. After that, the attacks on His Holiness and the church began, first, the spiritual leader of Azerbaijan accused the Apostolic Church of “inciting war”, then the RA government, led by Nikol Pashinyan, started the attacks, demanding the removal of the Catholicos.
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The war against Iran and TRIPP. How does the war in Iran complicate TRIPP?
April 23, 2026
While there are conflicting statements from Washington and Tehran about the possible extension of the ceasefire and the resumption of the second round of negotiations, the new attacks in the Strait of Hormuz prove that the “neither war nor peace” situation is unstable and can turn into military operations at any moment.
The targeting of three more cargo ships by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the detention of two of them is a clear signal that Tehran is not ready to make concessions under the US naval blockade. Moreover, it is a clear message that Tehran will respond to every step of the US, and it was a response to the earlier arrest of a ship under the Iranian flag by the US.
Despite serious political mistakes in the Middle East, Washington continues to play up its so-called peace-loving image, once again referring to the Armenia-Azerbaijan agreements. Steve Witkoff, the special representative of the US president, at the Real Estate Impact annual conference held at the University of Miami, referring to the Armenian-Azerbaijani settlement process, announced that Azerbaijan and Armenia reached an agreement in just six weeks.
“We concluded that agreement within six weeks. They (Azerbaijan and Armenia) fought for 37 years and now they are best friends. By the way, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev are now good friends. US President Donald Trump brought them closer. It is quite remarkable,” said Wittkoff.
For the expert community, the future of the Yerevan-Baku Washington agreements, in particular TRIPP, remains uncertain against the backdrop of the Iran war, although the RA authorities claim that the parties are working.
The latest developments around Iran and the new wave of regional instability are directly affecting the pace of implementation of the TRIPP project. The main idea of TRIPP is to ensure uninterrupted and safe communication between East and West, which has become a rather difficult problem in the current conditions of the region.
Large infrastructure projects require large investments and long-term sustainability. Under these circumstances, although there are many countries interested in TRIPP, as RA Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan recently claimed, the USA and the above-mentioned countries condition their substantive steps on the end of the war with Iran. Uncertainty forces donor organizations to take a wait-and-see position, which slows down funding flows and, consequently, follow-up.
In conversation with us Russian analyst Konstantin Simonov said that if the war situation around Iran continues, the implementation of TRIPP will also be delayed.
According to him, it is a well-known fact that transport projects develop rapidly only where there is predictability and stable peace. And in this case, according to him, there are no such prerequisites.
“There is a war in Iran, regardless of the extension of the ceasefire, the situation is explosive, the probability of reaching an agreement is quite low, in addition, Iran has an attitude towards the implementation of American projects near its borders. Therefore, I think that Yerevan and Washington continue technical discussions at a certain level, but the practical stage, in my opinion, may be delayed.” said the analyst.
In addition, the expert believes that the success of TRIPP implies multilateral cooperation, where the West, Central Asia and the South Caucasus should act in harmony.
“However, the prolongation of the conflict over Iran pushes regional players to caution and polarization. “When the region, especially Iran, is at war, the security priorities in neighboring countries come first, and all decisions are made based on these considerations,” said Simonov.
The Russian analyst believes that this war, its possible outcome, as well as further regional and geopolitical developments can also affect the implementation of such an important geopolitical logistics project.
“As it is known, Russia is also not enthusiastic about that project, Iran is against it, and it is difficult to say how the issues will be raised after the end of the war. It is not excluded that nothing will change, but it is also not excluded that there will be changes, and Iran will raise the issues much more acutely. Therefore, this is a project, the implementation of which really depends on the Iran war, both from a geopolitical and technical and economic point of view.” he said.
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