Suren Petrosyan: The Armenian people know the truth and support Ukraine
Interview with Deputy`s adviser, philanthropist, director of Centre of Armenia Researches Suren Petrosyan
Today is an important date for all Armenians, what actions does the Armenian diaspora in Ukraine take to draw attention to the issue of officially recognizing the events of April 24 as genocide?
On my initiative, we registered a petition on the website of the President of Ukraine, which, according to my data, received the required number of votes – more than 25 thousand, but due to, in my opinion, technical circumstances, our appeal was not allowed to be considered. Perhaps this question was very toxic at the time and would cause an unwanted resonance. I do not blame anyone and I have no complaints. We will continue to take steps and will not stop at the issue of achieving goals.
What steps do you mean?
I will not make an announcement ahead of time, I just want to inform you that as a result of the distribution of the petition and the collection of signatures, we managed to consolidate a huge number of representatives of the Armenian diaspora. They were even ready to document their own signatures: in other words, to prepare 25,000 signatures with an appeal to the President on paper. However, everything has its time. What do I mean?
First of all, for me, as a citizen of Ukraine living here, it is important to do everything possible so that our Armed Forces win the war on the battlefield, the Office of the President and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs win the war on the diplomatic field, so that Ukraine frees its own territories and begins to recover. This is a priority. The entire Armenian diaspora is making efforts for Ukraine to win.
Has no political or national contradictions. As a citizen of Ukraine, I am grateful for the fact that Turkey provided us with military equipment and provides assistance in the work of the grain corridor.
In parallel, we are preparing a number of social initiatives aimed at honoring the contribution of Ukrainian culture to Ukrainian history. I have to express my gratitude to the Ambassador of Armenia to Ukraine, Mr. Karapetyan, who is making maximum efforts to work in such difficult conditions.
And we will return to the topic of official recognition of genocide in the future. The Verkhovna Rada has a Ukraine-Armenia friendship group that will support our initiatives.
The Armenian diaspora in the countries of Eastern Europe: whose side is it on in the war in Ukraine?
Undoubtedly, all full-fledged representatives of the Armenian diaspora on the side of Ukraine. I communicate with representatives in Poland, Moldova, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania – they all understand what is happening. We also help them in this, through the channels of public diplomacy and constant communication. They understand that the Russian Federation has attacked Ukraine, is destroying our people and other peoples living on Ukrainian territory. Moreover, the diaspora helps in all possible ways.
In Ukraine, all conscious representatives of the Ukrainian diaspora also mobilized to fight for the independence of our State. Many are directly on the front line with weapons in hand.
Those from the diaspora who do not understand this, maintain contacts with the pro-Russian side or engage in collaborationism – they cannot be counted among us. They are enemies and traitors who have no place in Ukraine. Our position is very clear.
Unfortunately, I have to admit that the situation in the Russian Federation is not so positive. Many simply sold out to the Russian regime, but this is their choice. Time will put everything in its place.
What is the geopolitical situation directly in Armenia?
The Armenian government is in a difficult situation, as it is under constant economic, political and military pressure from the Russian Federation. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan cannot simply take and break relations with his Russian counterpart. Remember the Russian military base in the city of Gyumri.
However, the necessary processes are gradually taking place. Pashinyan tries to play a balanced game and, believe me, he also understands what is happening in Ukraine. Through diplomatic instruments, he expresses support to the Ukrainian side. I am convinced that constructive contacts at the highest level will soon take place. Armenia is against the war. Both on our own territories and in Ukraine.
I am convinced that soon, in Armenia, the Russian factor of influence will gradually be displaced. I predict that in the future official Yerevan will be able to initiate withdrawal from the CSTO. Not all at once, but everything will happen.
What is the understanding of the war in Ukraine by the Armenian population?
Most of the population understands what is happening. We try to provide the most detailed and clear picture of the terrible events for the mass media, in individual communication at the level of diplomats. Again, everything necessary is also done by both the Armenian diplomatic mission in Ukraine and the Ukrainian one in Armenia. The Armenian people know that Russia is waging a war on Ukrainian lands, and those who are subject to the manipulations of the Russian mass media have become hostages of the situation. I hope that someday we will reach them. The Armenian people know the truth and support Ukraine.
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