2023 September 12

Daily news wrap-up

Bitcoin bro running for mayor \\\ Jealous Vladimir Solovyov threatens to invade Armenia with mighty Imperial Russian Army \\\ Nagorno-Karabakh expects the opening of Lachin after Russian truck enters via Agdam \\\ U.S. vs Russia vs Armenia vs Azerbaijan: Diplomacy
by ar_david_hh

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Russia's Red Cross sends a humanitarian truck to Nagorno-Karabakh via Agdam road

A truck carrying small quantities of food and blankets entered via Agdam on Tuesday and reached the capital Stepanakert with the permission of the newly elected Nagorno-Karabakh government and Azerbaijani government. Russia hopes that the Lachin corridor will also open soon and work parallel to Agdam.

The Lachin corridor, the lifeline connecting to Armenia, remains closed to Armenian and French aid and the unobstructed passage of civilians despite the orders by the World Court for Azerbaijan to open it.

The Azerbaijani government has stated that, after holding talks with the U.S. and others, they will support the idea of opening the Lachin and Agdam roads simultaneously for Armenian and Azerbaijani Red Cross aid. The approval of the Russian Red Cross to send a truck today is unrelated to the main issue, which is the entry of Armenian and Azerbaijani Red Cross trucks via Lachin and Agdam.

It is unclear whether Azerbaijan will also allow the unobstructed movement of civilians, a demand made by the World Court and Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians, many of whom have relatives trapped on the other side of the border, school and business ties in Armenia, all of which have become inaccessible due to Azerbaijan's illegal blockade of the corridor.

Azerbaijan has also shut down the gas and electricity in Nagorno-Karabakh for several months, forcing ethnic Armenians to use wood to survive the winter. There is not enough fuel to deliver essential goods to residents in the regions.

Kindergartens are shutting down. Water is delivered in buckets. The garbage is not being collected. Food is strictly rationed by the government and involves lengthy queues.

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2RxSfjdx3w) [source,](https://factor.am/686668.html) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/268722) [source,](https://www.civilnet.am/news/749743/ռուսաստանի-ուղարկած-հումանիտար-բեռը-աղդամով-հասել-է-ստեփանակերտ/) [source,](https://arka.am/en/news/politics/russian_humanitarian_aid_arrived_in_artsakh_capital_via_askeran_/) [source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLmrDn9THc8?t=149) [source,](https://www.civilnet.am/news/749867/ռդ-ագն-ն-ակնկալում-է-որ-աղդամի-երթուղուն-զուգահեռ-կապաշրջափակվի-նաև-լաչինի-միջանցքը/)

U.S. reiterates: Lachin and Agdam must open simultaneously

The U.S. also does not recognize the September 9 presidential election in Nagorno-Karabakh because it doesn't recognize Nagorno-Karabakh as an independent republic to begin with.

In response to Nagorno-Karabakh elections, the State Department added that it's important for Nagorno-Karabakh to have trustworthy representatives.

[source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/268711)

Vladimir Putin downplays the crisis in Armenia-Russia relations: We have great relations with Armenia and PM Pashinyan

Putin said that for 10-15 years they've tried to convince the Armenian governments to hand over 5 of the 7 surrounding regions to Azerbaijan but the Armenian side chose to "fight".

This contradicts other Russian officials' claims and the history of the negotiations because Azerbaijan was the one that rejected the surrender of 5 regions in exchange for an interim status for Nagorno-Karabakh.

Putin also stated that the status of Nagorno-Karabakh has already been settled because Armenia recognizes Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, and that the remaining issues are around the humanitarian situation and the mandate of peacekeeping forces.

Putin said there is also the issue of not allowing ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh. He "hopes" that the Azerbaijani government will "keep its word" and prevent ethnic cleansings. *[just like the Nov. 9 promises?]*

Putin blamed Armenia for the Lachin blockade: *"Armenia has recognized Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan."* Read Armenia's response to this accusation [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/166ppv0/armenia_accuses_russia_of_ignoring_commitments/). Armenia says Russia is simply looking for excuses to deflect the blame because it ignores its own Nov. 9 obligations around Lachin.

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZ-fRW-gqEw) [source,](https://www.civilnet.am/news/749836/ո՞վ-է-մերժել-կարգավորման-ռուսական-տարբերակները-պուտինը-հակասում-է-լավրովին/)

U.S.: Russia has invaded two of its neighbors in recent years, it should refrain from lecturing countries in the region about security arrangements

That was the response of the U.S. State Department to Russia's criticism of AM-US military exercises in Armenia.

[source,](https://arka.am/en/news/politics/state_department_says_no_connection_between_armenian_u_s_military_exercises_and_aggravation_on_armen/)

Kremlin propagandist threatens to invade Armenia and Georgia to open a corridor to Iran

Context: Armenia and the U.S. are holding joint military exercises for peacekeepers.

SOLOVYOV VLADIMIR: Iran will not tolerate the presence of U.S. forces in Armenia. I won't be surprised if Iran surprises Pashinyan with a harsh response. //

Related: After Armenia invited Western observers to monitor the AM-AZ border due to Russia's refusal to follow its contractual obligations, Iran explicitly stated that it doesn't mind the presence of these NATO-state observers in Armenia.

Solovyov also expressed hope that Georgia and Armenia would burst into flames and fall, giving Russia a land corridor to Iran.

SOLOVYOV: We won't stop in Tbilisi [Georgia] this time. If they [take away the South Caucasus from us], we won't have another option, we will have to go until the end, it will be military action like you've never seen before.

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kfQ1wJcalI) [source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kfQ1wJcalI?t=69) [source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4MC_qvv6Ak)

Armenia ratifies agreement on military-technical cooperation with Czechia

>regulates relations between the two countries in such areas as production, import, export, licensing, quality control of military products; training of specialists

[source,](https://arka.am/en/news/politics/armenian_parliament_ratifies_agreement_on_armenian_czech_military_technical_cooperation/)

condo builders will be banned from spending 75% of apartment buyers' funds until construction is completed

The money will be frozen in bank accounts until the building is commissioned. The aim is to protect homebuyers and the construction industry from risks.

[source,](https://arka.am/en/news/business/developers_in_armenia_banned_to_use_75_of_apartment_buyers_funds_until_construction_is_completed/)

leading candidate in Yerevan municipal elections is a crypto nerd

Tigran Avinyan earned $18,000 from the sale of Bitcoins last year. He currently owns 2 whole Bitcoins. Other possessions include an electric vehicle, an apartment, and $40,000.

His main opponent actor Hayk Marutyan, the richest candidate, owns approximately $664,000, over 5 houses in Vienna and Czhecia, and at least one in Armenia. Doesn't own a car.

Former regime candidate Andranik Tevanyan is a major proponent of cash. Cash: $175,000, bank account: $120,000.

Candidate Artak Galstyan has declared that he doesn't own anything. He is currently in jail, facing fraud charges in the case involving a blogger known as "dog".

[full,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pC1o4ZpQEY?t=27) [source,](https://www.panorama.am/en/news/2023/04/18/Public-Voice-Party-leader-arrest/2823045)

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Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/16h3z6w/bitcoin_bro_running_for_mayor_jealous_vladimir/