Arthur Khachatryan - Artsakh Negotiations, Armenian Domestic Politics | Ep 455, Jul 27, 2025 [EP455]

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Guest:

• Arthur Khachatryan, MP

Topics:

• Artsakh Negotiations
• Armenian Domestic Politics

Episode 455 | Recorded: July 25, 2025

Show Notes

In this episode, Armenian MP Arthur Khachatryan joins Groong to discuss the publication of his two-volume work on the Artsakh negotiations and the unfolding political crisis in Armenia. He challenges key narratives pushed by the current Armenian government, especially those related to the fate of Artsakh and the peace process. The conversation covers the suppression of Artsakh-related discourse, efforts to sideline the Armenian Church, the state’s aggressive moves to nationalize Samvel Karapetyan’s assets, and the deepening authoritarian streak under Pashinyan. Khachatryan provides historical and legal context to refute claims by the ruling regime and reflects on what may lie ahead politically, including the potential banning of opposition parties like the ARF.

Main Topics Addressed

• The publication of Arthur Khachatryan’s two-volume book Artsakh Negotiations
• Historical misrepresentations by the Pashinyan administration
• The 2020 war and why diplomacy failed
• The forced displacement of Artsakhtsis and the state’s campaign to silence their advocates
• The Church under threat: Pashinyan’s moves against Etchmiadzin
• Government crackdown on the ARF and opposition MPs
• The evolving language of “corridors” and proposals for foreign-managed transit routes
• The nationalization of Electric Networks of Armenia and its broader economic/political implications
• Foreign media’s treatment of Armenia’s authoritarian turn
• Discussion of a potential foreign agents law in Armenia
• Outlook for the 2026 elections

Key Questions Discussed

• What evidence does Khachatryan offer to counter the official narrative that Artsakh was always meant to be within Azerbaijan?
• Why is the Armenian government attacking the Church and threatening the Catholicos?
• What does the push to nationalize the ENA tell us about Armenia’s political climate?
• Has Pashinyan yielded to Aliyev’s demands, and if so, why?
• Why is the Armenian government now using the term “corridor,” after years of resisting it?
• How serious is the threat of banning the ARF and persecuting its members?
• Can Armenia continue without passing some version of a foreign agents law?

Referenced Articles & Sources

• Karabakh peace proposals – Panorama.am
• Pashinyan’s press release
• Armenian PM’s 2023 corridor remarks – Public Radio of Armenia
• Rejection of US lease proposal – OC Media
• International arbitration and ENA – Hetq
• Government takeover of ENA – Azatutyun
• CivilNet TV MP comments
• ARF banning speculation – Armlur

Wrap-up

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