2022 October 28

Daily news wrap-up

Oct/28/2022: __ Armenia agrees to Russia's and West's "offers", Azerbaijan rejects both __ Police being demilitarized __ "Privet Rob" forensic examiners charged __ Drone workshop __ Global diaspora summit __ Yerevan preparing for winter; Christmas Tree __ Books & history __ Anti-corruption __ More
by ar_david_hh

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15 minutes, 3838 words.

did Russian MP Konstantin Zatulin "threaten" that Pashinyan will be assassinated if he chooses the West's peace plan?

The context in [Thursday digest](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/yfajyi/oct272022_army_reforms_professional_army_new/). Zatulin recently compared the peace treaty offered by the West to the Camp David Accords (Egypt-Israel-US). Putin also claimed that the West wants Armenia to recognize Nagorno-Karabakh (NK) as part of Azerbaijan, and that Russia is supposedly offering a better deal to Armenia. Pashinyan's close circles are skeptical of Russia's ability to enforce its own agreement.

Reporter: Today Russian MP Zatulin advised Armenian officials, who want to choose the West's peace treaty over Russia's, to remember the fate of Egyptian president Anwar Sadat. To clarify for readers, Sadat signed a treaty with Israel brokered by the U.S. in 1978. He was later assassinated. Is this a threat by Zatulin, a ranking Russian official?

Pambukhchyan, Pashinyan's teammate: The allusion is clear. But the truth is, Armenia has never rejected Russia's peace offer, there is no final decision to take the West's offer. Armenia is analyzing the best possible option.

Reporter: What about his assassination remarks? If he was some private figure, a political analyst, that would be one thing, but he is an influential official.

Pambukhchyan: I think Zatulin will receive an appropriate response for his comments. Any language of threat is unacceptable.

Reporter: Zatulin made those comments during the Lazarian Club meeting attended by members of the Armenian opposition. We saw the big smile on Vazgen Manukyan's face when he heard Zatulin's remarks about the assassination. Any comment?

Pambukhchyan: Unacceptable. //

In other news. Margarita Simonyan's friend [Andranik Mihranyan](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/246930) is also on the travel ban list.

[source,](https://factor.am/572297.html) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/246930)

Armenia is open to discussing Russia's peace plan

Context in [Thursday news digest](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/yfajyi/oct272022_army_reforms_professional_army_new/).

Pashinyan: In early September Armenia agreed to discuss Russia's peace plan. We are ready to confirm it in Sochi. We hope Russia will support its proposals.

Edmon Marukyan: We hope Russia will defend its proposals and that Azerbaijan will agree to these proposals.

Ruling party MP Armen Khachatryan: Russia wants to freeze the NK topic until there is an opportunity to discuss its status in the future. But we believe the topic of NK's security must be discussed as actively as the other issues. Russia says the issue of NK status will be discussed later, that's not a problem, that has always been on the agenda, but what will the results look like, and what guarantees will there be? If we must sign documents that cannot be enforced, then we don't need it.

Political analyst Garik Keryan: If it's true that under the Russian proposal the NK status will be delayed, it will be a diplomatic victory for Armenia. That means NK is gaining status.

Ruling party MP Armen Khachatryan: Be careful with sweet-sounding documents, though. The most important part is the implementation mechanisms. This is where the issue is. We already have 3 documents brokered by Russia, but their paragraphs have not been implemented. Too many Russian agreements have remained on paper only. CSTO is another example. If Russia now offers us a "much better" option, they should explain the enforcement guarantees. If it's going to be another CSTO, we don't need it. //

Reporter: Yesterday Putin said that if Armenia accepts the West's plan, that means it's recognizing NK as part of Azerbaijan, and that Russia has a "better" plan. Yet it's the same Vladimir Putin who, after the war, announced that NK is part of Azerbaijan. Which Putin should we trust?

Political expert Stepan Grigoryan: Putin understands very well how unhappy Armenia is with Russia and CSTO. Armenia understands that Russia and Azerbaijan together are carrying out anti-Armenian policies. Today he is attempting to mislead the Armenian public by injecting this distraction. What is this "Washington plan" he is referring to? I haven't even heard of any Washington plan. I am aware that Washington has suggested a Stepanakert-Baku format under international mechanisms. So Putin is attempting to manipulate the Armenian public.

Shortly after the war, [Putin stated that the 7 surrounding regions and Nagorno Karabakh itself are an inseparable part of Azerbaijan](https://youtu.be/0xvQeSa5Su0?t=417). This was later repeated by Russia's foreign ministry. The only other country with such a pro-Azeri stance is Azerbaijan. Now Putin contradicts himself. It's manipulation. It is Russia that plans to hand over NK to Azerbaijan, and not Washington.

Analyst Chibukhchyan: Putin is lying when he claims that by accepting the Western plan Armenia will recognize NK as part of Azerbaijan. Washington wants to separate the AM-AZ and NK-AZ conflicts and launch an international platform to facilitate a direct negotiation between NK-AZ. Armenia has always maintained the stance that NK is not a territorial dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan. If we are talking about secession for salvation, it cannot be a territorial dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The West wants to remove Armenia from the game and substitute it with NK.

Putin may want to "delay" NK's status, but he does not want to give it a status in the end, he just wants to consider "nuances", while "respecting Azerbaijan's position". He mentioned the latter twice. //

there is no "Washington plan": Ambassador-at-large Edmon Marukyan discloses the negotiation details

Reporter: Putin says if you choose the Washington plan, you will recognize NK as part of Azerbaijan. He offers a different plan.

Marukyan: First of all, there is no "Washington plan". Azerbaijan had offered a peace proposal to Armenia. We have been working on it to introduce our positions, and the work is essentially complete. It will be discussed during future meetings.

Reporter: So what document was ARF Gegham Manukyan tearing in the parliament building?

Marukyan: It wasn't a "document", it was just a statement released after a diplomatic meeting. [about the need to demarcate borders and reach a peace agreement]

Reporter: OK, what about Russia's plan?

Marukyan: As Pashinyan revealed today, Russia made this offer in early September and Armenia responded to it positively. Azerbaijan finds the offer unacceptable. So we hope that Putin will reaffirm his offer and convince Azerbaijan to accept it during the October 31 meeting.

However, Vladimir Putin has not revealed what Russia's vision is. Is Russia prepared to recognize the self-determination of NK people?

Reporter: Russia wants to "delay" that topic.

Marukyan: Okay, then we agree to it. Can Russia convince Azerbaijan to sign that document?

Reporter: [Shows a 2020 clip of Putin saying that the 7 surrounding regions AND Nagorno Karabakh are all legally part of Azerbaijan. Then shows Putin's Valdai clip from Thursday in which he discourages the Armenian government from choosing the "Washington plan" because, in his words, it's the same as recognizing Nagorno Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan]. Which Vladimir Putin should we believe?

Marukyan: Russia wants the NK status talks to be delayed. Again, we gave a positive response to this. In comparison, the verbal offer we have received from the West is about launching a direct dialogue between Stepanakert and Baku under an international platform, with the participation of international players, for holding direct NK-AZ discussions regarding NK's security and rights. The West wants to form this international platform for NK-AZ dialogue now, while Russia wants to delay these status talks.

We agree to Russia's offer, that is, if they can convince Azerbaijan to agree as well. If they can't, then we have to discuss the creation of that [Western-monitored NK-AZ dialogue] mechanism.

Azerbaijan supports neither. Our diplomats are tirelessly working to reach an agreement. Russia, as an OSCE Co-chair and our strategic ally, should convince Azerbaijan to come to the negotiation table. Armenia has done its part, we have gone above and beyond, it's up to Russia to convince them now.

Reporter: What will the upcoming Sochi meeting look like? Hello, we agree to your offer?

Marukyan: We can announce that right now, even before arrival in Sochi. We are grateful to Putin for disclosing this information ahead of the meeting.

I'll tell you another thing. We are working on the Sochi declaration. We want it to include the phrase "Nagorno Karabakh" and not "Karabakh", in various paragraphs. After all, that's the phrase written by the Russian side everywhere, yet Lavrov avoids using "Nagorno". Nagorno is part of the Nov. 9 statement as well, and we want this line to be maintained. Can it be maintained? We see that several parts of the Nov. 9 statement were not upheld, we lost Parukh, we lost lands, and the gas pipe was blown up. We also want to see a paragraph that clarifies what Russia wants to happen, their vision. If we want Russia to extend its peacekeeping presence by 10 years, could they convince Azerbaijan?

Russia will maintain efforts to achieve a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan: Russian Senate leader Matvienko

Valentina Matviyenko: Russia has and will act as a mediator to help achieve an AM-AZ peace treaty. The interests of both countries must be taken into account.

Russia has always assisted the Armenian people in ensuring security: Vladimir Putin during CSTO Security Council

Putin: Russia has always supported our Armenian friends from the early times in ensuring the security of the Armenian people. As for the AM-AZ normalization, we do everything possible to achieve a comprehensive settlement.

You know that not long ago all 3 of us were part of the same country [here it goes]. We have strong connections with Yerevan and Baku, it's impossible to ignore this.

Russia is interested in a stable South Caucasus. The only path to peace is the strict observance of all the provisions of [Nov. 9, Jan. 11, and Nov. 26 tripartite statements by AM-RU-AZ].

It is possible to achieve a stable normalization of relations with consistent implementation of border delimitation, unblocking of regional communications, and solving humanitarian problems. Our Armenian partners fully agree with this.

The problem is how to find these solutions, it’s not an easy task. This will pave way for a peace treaty. //

Pashinyan welcomes the report prepared by CSTO Secretary during the recent visit to the borders

Pashinyan: Secretary General's report shows the existing realities quite accurately, in particular, the fact of the invasion of the sovereign territory of Armenia by Azerbaijani units and the danger of its recurrence, as well as the need for the Azerbaijani forces to return to their initial positions.

We expect CSTO to give a clear political assessment of the Azerbaijani aggression unleashed starting May 2021. We expect CSTO to create a clear roadmap for restoring the territorial integrity of Armenia.

Lukashenko: The "roadmap" is to sit down with Aliyev, discuss the conflict, and make a decision. If you don't do it today, it will get worse tomorrow, we don't need this conflict. //

CSTO will again address the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border in late November. "There is a certain vision on how to proceed with this matter in the next few weeks."

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1095906.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1095920.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1095909.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1095940.html) [source,](https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=5365473220248317) [source,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1095956.html) [source,](https://youtu.be/3zWOMVgBdWo?t=114) [source,](https://youtu.be/_7afe9VFs-I) [source,](https://youtu.be/evOlIDiB-bE) [source,](https://arka.am/en/news/politics/csto_collective_security_council_to_address_situation_on_armenian_azerbaijani_border_in_late_novembe/) [source,](https://youtu.be/0xvQeSa5Su0) [source,](https://youtu.be/0BPncYBep28)

CIS Interparliamentary Assembly session was held on Friday

Speaker Alen Simonyan introduced his colleagues to the current situation in the South Caucasus and episodes relating to Azerbaijan's illegal military aggression. "the use of force or threat of force distorts the ongoing processes in the region aimed at establishing peace."

... Speaker Simonyan responds to his Azerbaijani counterpart

Alen Simonyan: Speaker of the Azerbaijani parliament stated that there is no Nagorno Karabakh region, rather only Karabakh. If there is no Nagorno-Karabakh, then what did Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev sign on 9 November 2020? The document very clearly mentions Nagorno Karabakh. //

[source,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1095935.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1095942.html)

Azerbaijan plans to launch a persecution campaign against "pro-Iranian" public figures: Azeri media

Azeri regime is still upset over Iran's warning to Baku not to invade southern Armenia. There is a new wave of anti-Iranian rhetoric by public officials. Regime's outlets have received information that this campaign will intensify next week. Religious organizations and schools funded by Iran could become a target.

[source,](https://factor.am/572187.html)

Azerbaijan is happy that Kremlin-lined Russian oil giant can invest and operate in Azerbaijan despite Western sanctions on Russia

Deputy Energy Minister of Azerbaijan: Sanctions have not influenced the participation of Russia's Lukoil in our oil projects and the Shah Deniz gas reserves.

Lukoil has been here since the beginning, and despite all these sanctions, they maintain participation in our projects. I don't see any problems on the horizon. //

[source,](https://factor.am/572161.html) [redacted,](ekonomika/16183659)

Foreign Minister Mirzoyan hosted EU's Toivo Klaar

They discussed regional security and exchanged views on issues related to the elaboration of the peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

They emphasized the importance of the deployment of the EU civilian mission on the AM-AZ border.

They exchanged views on the unblocking of regional transport infrastructure, as well as the work of the border commissions.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1095974.html)

U.S. Deputy FM Donfried spoke with Azeri FM Bayramov

Karen Donfried and Jeyhun Bayramov discussed peace efforts in the region.

[source,](https://factor.am/572175.html)

drone production workshop opens in Vardenis high school

The UAV engineering lab is for students above 14. It's part of efforts to develop the defense and science sectors in Armenia. Drones can also be used for civilian purposes, noted the organizers.

It's a project by ArMath, VMware employees, the UATE tech union, and the Khachik Poghosyan Foundation named after a 2020 war hero.

The opening ceremony was attended by the Parliamentary Defense Committee chief and others.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1095965.html)

a Police Guard is being formed in Armenia

Armenia is demilitarizing the interior troops. A new civilian national guard will be formed. This is part of a wider plan to reform the police and establish a new Interior Ministry that will have civilian oversight of police.

There will be a new branch of law enforcement. It will include the current Police Troops, the General Department of State Protection of Police, and accompanied battalions. They will become one national force known as Police Guard.

Duties: maintaining public order and safety, protecting essential areas, security for transporting special cargo and ranking officials.

Currently, the Police Troops are regulated by military legislation despite being a police division. It will be "demilitarized".

The Government invited international organizations and NGOs to discuss the reforms.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1095914/) [source,](https://factor.am/572086.html)

update: government is studying Lithuania's healthcare experience ahead of plans to introduce universal healthcare in Armenia

The delegation led by Health Minister Avanesyan met representatives of the National Health Insurance Fund under the Ministry of Health of Lithuania.

They want to study the process of collecting and managing the funds, financial stability, formation of healthcare packages, price calculations, etc. They discussed the possibility of using Lithuanian experience in Armenia.

[source,](https://factor.am/572297.html)

Council of Women's Affairs discussed gender equality

The Government hosted a gender Council session attended by foreign experts and NGOs. The goal is to increase the involvement of women in STEM, IT, the army, and politics.

[source,](https://factor.am/572435.html) [source,](https://hetq.am/en/article/149693)

authorities accuse medical examiners of providing a false report to cover up the "Paplavok" murder involving ex-president Robert Kocharyan's bodyguard

Kocharyan's former classmate greeted him as "privet Rob" [hello Rob] and was killed by Kocharyan's bodyguard in the restaurant toilet. The bodyguard was given a slap on the wrist. The investigation reopened after 2018 when new evidence of coverup and a [new witness testimony](https://youtu.be/KrPF7E8vo94) emerged.

Prosecutor General: Criminal proceedings were initiated on Wednesday regarding an obviously false report submitted by medical examiners as part of the 25 September 2001 incident that took away the life of Poghos Poshosyan.

The case was reopened in 2019 after the emergence of new evidence. A new examination by an expert commission has revealed that the primary forensic examiners Շ.Գ. and և Գ.Հ. had intentionally ignored the damage to certain parts of the body, distorted facts about the immediate cause of death, and hid crucial evidence from the initial criminal examination.

A criminal case is launched under Article 504.2.2 [submitting false statements/reports]. //

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1095898.html) [source,](https://factor.am/572007.html)

update: residents of provinces will soon receive their pensions and benefits exclusively electronically

Several laws were recently adopted as part of the effort to develop the digital economy and combat the shadow economy. Seniors under the age of 75 and non-disabled persons are receiving their payments through a card, issued by a bank of their choice.

This requirement will expand to provincial settlements with a population >1,000, beginning January 1.

The Government is also encouraging seniors to keep the money in the bank and use the card for payments, in exchange for a 10% refund at the end of the month ($10/mo).

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1095918.html)

came back for more

Last year the TV regulator organized an airway auction to choose which channels will broadcast in Yerevan. The Public network defeated Kocharyan-affiliated H2 by scoring a higher quality mark, but the TV regulator broke some procedural rules, so H2 successfully sued and won the right to another auction.

That auction was held today. The Public network again defeated H2.

[source,](https://factor.am/572151.html)

medical & pharma expo opens in Yerevan

Առողջապահություն և Դեղագործություն EXPO 2022 has invited 70 companies from several countries. Companies displayed their medical devices and medications.

An Iranian company presented a device for women that's attached to the body and uses vibration/pulses to ease period pain.

[video,](https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=694361771719743) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1095957.html)

anti-narco: Armenian authorities uncover another plot by an Iranian national to smuggle narcotics to Australia

[Two weeks ago](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/y486jb/oct142022_nagorno_karabakh_officials_disclose/) Armenian customs agents cooperated with U.S. DEA to stop the smuggling of 4 kg of meth to Australia.

Customs agents have uncovered a similar plot, this time involving 3 kg of opium, again headed to Australia. It was stuffed inside leather bags. The suspect is under arrest. The search has uncovered more narcotics in his hotel room.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1095951.html)

anti-corruption: OSCE is retraining Armenia's ACC agents

This week the OSCE, funded by Switzerland, organized a retraining course for agents at the Anti-Corruption Committee. This is the second training to improve their skills in combatting electoral bribery, financial crimes, and laundering.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1095955.html)

the number of IRS-visible sales transactions continues to grow

Number of sales receipts in January-September:

2018: 243m

2019: 332m

2020: 334m

2021: 412m

2022: 443m

The number grew 8%, turnover grew 13%.

[source,](https://factor.am/572056.html)

Martuni has turned into a giant construction site with 49 active programs

The Gegharkunik town (pop. 13,000) is building 20 km of roads, 4km of sidewalks, 58 km of drinking and irrigation water networks, 10 km of gas pipes, kindergartens, and 39 km of street lights. The $9 million project is co-financed by state and local authorities.

Mayor Hoveyan: Ծրագրերի իրականացման արդյունքում էապես կբարելավվի կյանքի որակը մեր համայնքի բնակավայրերում: Նվազագույնի կհասցվեն խմելու եւ ոռոգման ջրի կորուստները: Բնական գազից օգտվելու հնարավորություն կունենան մինչեւ 800 ընտանիք

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1095919.html)

the Global Armenian Summit kicks off in Yerevan

ARF members and the church are boycotting the event because "the government is anti-church and anti-Armenian".

Diaspora office: The summit will serve as a new format [invites prominent diasporan figures rather than organizations] and a dynamic platform for diaspora representatives and local partners to discuss challenges of universal significance.

The agenda includes national security, protection of Armenian interests, development of strategic fields, repatriation, investments, preservation of Armenian identity, and self-organization of the diaspora.

600 participants have arrived from 50 countries for the 3-day event. Famous Armenians will participate in panel discussions. //

[source,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1095970.html) [Pashinyan speech,](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1095973.html) [Sinanyan speech,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1095976.html)

Armenian-Turkish parliament MP [Garo Paylan](https://youtu.be/RBS8p0e3o3w) uploaded a picture from Yerevan's Republic Square

Paylan: բարի լոյս Երեւանէն, Erivan’dan günaydın, Good morning from Yerevan. //

He gave an interview to Armenian media.

[source,](https://factor.am/572199.html)

the "Festival of Rural Life and Traditions" was held in Armenia | PHOTO/VIDEO

An open-air festival brought farmers from around the country together to display their goods. The initiative, organized by ACBA bank, aims to promote young agricultural businesses.

[video,](https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1161106801157480) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1095937.html)

Eurovision is better with Christmas Tree

Armenia will host the Junior Eurovision song contest on December 11. Its participants have been invited to light Yerevan's Christmas Tree on December 5. Members from 16 countries will do it together. It will also mark the launch of the Eurovision song contest. Armenia will be represented by 14yo [Nare Ghazaryan](https://youtu.be/lhxOecNvpsA).

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1095930.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1095931.html)

Yerevan is preparing for winter

The city will store 11,000 tons of sand-salt mixture. They are preparing the snow vehicles.

Homeowner associations (HOA) are expected to ensure that condo entrances are usable during and after snow. The city will provide them with sand and salt.

It is the city's job to keep the streets clean, but when it comes to sidewalks, businesses are required to treat the section in front of their door. The city is sending reminders to businesses.

Emergency Ministry will assist municipalities with the removal of dangerous icicles hanging from condo roofs.

While there is time, the city is actively trying to improve the thermal insulation of water pipes in condos to avoid ruptures.

The transport department has received enough winter tires for the season and will switch to them soon. Privately owned routes will follow the suit. The Police have been instructed to tighten the control because summer tires during the winter are one of the primary causes of incidents and traffic jams.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1095972.html)

Europe Conference League

Slovan beat Pyunik 2:1 yesterday. The opponent scored both its goals just a few minutes before the final whistle.

Slovan and Basel 8 Pts, Pyunik 6 Pts, Zargilis 5 Pts.

Coach Yeghishe Melikyan: There was a lack of concentration. We are gonna forget this defeat soon and focus on the game against Basel. //

The Armenian champion preserves a chance to advance to the next round if it defeats Basel during the November 3 match in Yerevan.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1095897.html) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1095904.html)

French-Armenian mathematician-historian Claude Mutafian is awarded the Order of St. Mesrop Mashtots

Mutafian presented his book "Jerusalem and Armenians" during a Friday event in Matenadarn, attended by Education Minister Dumanyan.

Minister: Happy 80th birthday, and thank you for your work. Although you are a mathematician by profession, your contribution to the development of Armenian studies in France is immense, especially toward the recognition of the Armenian genocide. You have never stopped being an Armenian despite carrying out your activities in France. //

Mutafian thanked for the award and presented the book, which is about the Armenian heritage in Jerusalem, items kept there from the 5th century, Armenian mosaics on various churches, scepters owned by kings of Cilicia, and items relating to Salah ad-Din that are kept in the Patriarchate.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1095971.html)

Yeghishe Charents poems are translated into French

A book titled "Rainbow' and..." was presented on Friday, dedicated to the 125th anniversary of the Armenian poet-activist. It features 74 poems, including his "Rainbow" series, in Armenian and French.

The book was published with the help of the Charents House-Museum, the French Embassy, and Armenia's Education Ministry.

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1095943.html)

top-10 bestseller documentary books in September

3) Սրճարան աշխարհի եզրին (John Strelecky)

2) Հարուստ հայրիկ, աղքատ հայրիկ (Robert Kiyosaki)

1) El Secreto Mas Grande Del Mundo (Og Mandino)

[source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1095771.html)

TLDR

Hayko as Armenia after a monthlong tantrum, Mko as Russia: https://youtu.be/HCTKe3SwUHU?t=249

in case you missed

Yesterday's news in English, русский (by Impossible-Ad-). Archive by Armeniapedia. Donate to Armenia & Artsakh here

The accused are innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law, even if they "appear" guilty.

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Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/yg2q9d/oct282022_armenia_agrees_to_russias_and_wests/