At today’s Yerevan rally calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Vazgen Manukyan, the opposition’s choice to head a proposed transition government, addressed the crowd saying that the recent war in Artsakh could have been prevented and won if waged correctly.

Manukyan said Pashinyan’s foreign policy cost Armenia all its allies and that the country now faces a host of security risks.

Here are excerpts of Manukyan’s speech.

"It is noteworthy that today we are gathered in the square where our people gathered in 1988 with unity and enthusiasm, swore to build an independent, free and just state, to reach out to the brothers and sisters of Artsakh, promising their security and reunification with Armenia. Most of these tasks were accomplished. We built an independent state with all its shortcomings, but we built that state.

"Even the existence of Armenia is endangered now when the Azerbaijanis determine the border of Armenia. They enter Armenia without any resistance from state bodies. There is a saying. If you try to solve a problem and fail, do not change the problem, but change your methods. The problem is before us and must be solved.

"We could have prevented the war. We could have won the war. We could have ended it sooner with less losses. All that did not happen. Nikol Pashinyan must understand that the sooner he resigns, the better. The movement did not win, the enraged people will win. This movement is the way that gives an opportunity to change the situation in Armenia in a civilized way.

"We will never reconcile ourselves with the trilateral agreement, but we cannot change it. To refuse it would mean a war with Azerbaijan and Turkey, a revolt against the Russian peacekeeping troops. The new government must be able to turn the uncertainties of that agreement in favor of Armenia.

"If you are not connected with Russia, Turkey remains. We have many common interests with Russia, we do not have common interests with Turkey. The world will not forgive Turkey for its impudence. If an alliance is formed against Turkey, we are in that alliance.

"The next issue is the improvement of Armenia's domestic situation. There are forces with external influence working in Armenia, which are deliberately dividing our people. Through our people, they solved their geopolitical issues for 2.5 years, using us as a toy. That field must be cleansed.”

Chanting "Nikol the traitor" rallygoers are now marching towards the Government House, where specific conditions are to be presented for Nikol Pashinyan's departure and a deadline.