Russian proxy and war criminal on Capitol Hill

In the last 5 years Russia has tried to undermine US by interfering in our elections, invading of Ukraine, Syria and expanding in Caucasus with the help of its proxy state of Armenia. Since 1991, Armenia has been Moscow’ staunch ally by hosting Russia’s 102nd military base. With Russia’s military support, Armenia also sustains its occupation of Nagorno Karabakh region of Azerbaijan.

In 2015-2017, with a $300mln arms loans from Russia, Armenia bought Iskander-M missiles which have a range of up to 310 mi and can hit NATO facilities in Turkey, and energy infrastructure in Azerbaijan where Western companies operate. Bako Sahakyan, the Armenia-installed head of separatists in Azerbaijan’s occupied territories has stated in his interview to newspaper ‘Clarin’: “Russia is actually helping our forces, and our officers will be trained permanently with their Russian colleagues.” (https://www.clarin.com/mundo/entrevista-nagorno_karabaj-presidente-armenia_0_BJiAbiKPXe.html) On March 14, Armenian lobbying organizations will be holding an event at Cannon welcoming Sahakyan.

We must turn our backs to stooges of Russian imperialism and war criminals perpetrating crimes against our allies in Caucasus. I urge my elected officials to decry Sahakyan’s visit to the Hill and speak out against Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan, highlighted in UN SC resolutions 822, 853, 874 and 884!

— Cahit Tezel, Matawan