In a May 15 news interview, RA Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan was asked if he agreed with the opinion that the Artsakh ceasefire allowed Azerbaijani forces to avoid further losses and regroup for a future offensive.

DM Ohanyan responded by saying that the Armenian forces in Artsakh hadn't set out to conquer all of Azerbaijan, but rather to liberate Artsakh and guarantee the safety of the people.

He said that it was foolish to believe that only Baku was taking advantage of the ceasefire.

DM Ohanyan also argued that the recently escalated incidents of Azerbaijani snip fire and other diversionary tactics was an attempt by military official in Baku to counter the defeatist mentality rife in the Azerbaijani army and to sow discontent within Armenian society.

"Those acts will only serve to strengthen Armenian resolve," said the defense minister, adding that Armenian forces react to Azeri sniper fire with a force ten times larges and with inflicting greater casualties on the enemy.