Robert Kocharyan criticizes Pashinyan’s handling of Karabakh conflict

Former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan criticized Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for rejecting peace proposals that could have averted the devastating 2020 war in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).

At a meeting with students and professors of the Armenian University on Tuesday, Kocharyan highlighted the 2001 Key West agreement as a “turning point” in peace talks. Although never signed, the draft document saw Azerbaijan accepting the possibility of Nagorno-Karabakh joining Armenia — a stance Kocharyan described as unprecedented. “Even the later Madrid Principles, which included full recognition of a people’s right to self-determination, became framed by our side as major concessions,” he said.

The ex-president also pointed to a 2019 proposal ignored by the Armenian leadership, stating that Yerevan’s refusal to engage seriously in negotiations led to a loss of international support during the war. “When the negotiation process breaks down because of you, it’s logical that you bear the consequences,” he said.

Drawing parallels with the ongoing war in Ukraine, Kocharyan accused current Armenian leaders of political irresponsibility and shortsightedness. Referring to Pashinyan’s claim that he avoided a ceasefire in October 2020 to prevent being labeled a “traitor,” Kocharyan countered, “Wouldn’t it have been better to be called a traitor then, rather than face this catastrophe now?”