Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan believes that the Russian peacekeeping contingent deployed in the region is becoming a “silent witness” to the depopulation of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh).

“The Republic of Armenia is a staunch supporter of the presence of the peacekeeping troops of the Russian Federation in Nagorno-Karabakh,” Pashinyan told a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, December 29.

“But the increasingly obvious practices of the Russian peacekeeping troops to become a silent witness to the depopulation of Nagorno Karabakh are unacceptable for us.”

Pashinyan note, however, that Yerevan will work closely with Moscow and other international partners to settle said issues in order to prevent further escalation of the situation and to reach a comprehensive settlement.

“I should also reaffirm Armenia's willingness and determination to sign a peace treaty with Azerbaijan, to complete the border delimitation, and to open regional communications,” he added.

For over 15 days now, the key road has been blocked by Azerbaijanis who claim to be environmentalists. Azerbaijan had also deprived the people of Karabakh of gas supplies.