Yerevan /Mediamax/. “America Must Contain Azeri-Turkish Aggression” – this is how Armenian Ambassador to the USA Varuzhan Nersisyan has titled his opinion piece for the Newsweek magazine.

“As a starting point, America must join us in demanding that Azerbaijan unconditionally return an estimated 200 Armenian prisoners of war. Absent this basic humanitarian gesture, dialogue and negotiation cannot succeed.

Second, the Biden administration can cut off foreign assistance to Azerbaijan's military. In FY 2018 and 2019, the Trump administration provided more than USD 100 million in military and security aid to Azerbaijan—resources that were likely used against Armenian civilians and soldiers.

Further, all arms export licenses to Turkey and Azerbaijan must be rejected. Global economic and political sanctions need to be imposed on the Erdogan and Aliyev governments.

The U.S. Congress should follow the principled example of both houses of the French Parliament and a number of other European parliaments, which have voted in favor of the self-determination of the Republic of Artsakh.

As part of its co-chairmanship of the OSCE Minsk Group, we urge the United States to support de-occupation by Azerbaijan of the territories of Nagorno-Karabakh. This includes the safe and dignified return of the recently displaced population of Artsakh to their homes.

Finally, the United States must oppose any role for Turkey in either peacekeeping or the peace process in Artsakh. The international community cannot reward Ankara for outright aggression that undermines a globally mandated peace process.

If Azerbaijan and Turkey are allowed to hijack the OSCE Minsk Group peace process, they will not stop,” wrote Ambassador Nersisyan.