Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan, in video interviews with the French magazines Marianne and La Vie, called for global pressure on Baku to reopen the Lachin Corridor and thus save the lives of 120,000 Armenians in Artsakh.

 Speaking about the false environmental demands put forward by the Azerbaijani side, Ruben Vardanyan said that if environmental protection is really a concern of Baku, then Artsakh is ready to receive an international commission of environmental experts delegated by the UN, which will be able to carry out an inspection.

Regarding possible solutions to the Lachin impasse, Vardanyan noted that only international pressure can give a mandate to the Russian peacekeepers and force the organization of a humanitarian air corridor to meet the needs of food and medicine.

"The problem is that we are surrounded from all sides by Azerbaijan, which will always find an excuse to block the road and prevent us from living. The airport of Stepanakert is not functioning now due to Azerbaijani threats, but it is fully ready for operation. And we hope that Russia, the U.S., and France will be able to come to an agreement and put pressure on the corrupt regime of Azerbaijan."

Ruben Vardanyan said "the world should know that the people of Artsakh are very strong and united, but they should feel that they are not alone in this fight for humanity."

As to the international community's response to the situation, Vardanyan noted that we are witnessing a vivid example of double standards.

"We are under attack by an authoritarian, undemocratic regime that does not respect human rights in its own country, that silences the voice of the press, that is involved in money laundering and corruption on a global scale. But that regime has not been sanctioned, and the international media and the international community is mostly silent. This indifference terrifies us."

Regarding whether peace with Azerbaijan is possible, Vardanyan said: "There has been a lot of violence and death between our two peoples, and hatred towards Armenians has been taught in Azerbaijani schools for years... Finding the path to peace will be a step-by-step, long process."

Conveying his message to France Vardanyan noted that France showed a brotherly attitude towards Armenians after the genocide.

"I would just like to say to the French. don't let the tragedy happen a second time. Don't just give us a helping hand in the future. Prevent what might happen. It is always better to avoid disasters than to manage them."