YEREVAN, AUGUST 30, ARMENPRESS. The Russian community of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) has held a meeting in the Stepanakert Culture and Youth Palace.

Alexander Bordov, the Head of the Russian Community, said in his speech that the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic is now facing a difficult situation and praised the Nagorno-Karabakh residents for their “resilience and willpower” in honorably withstanding the challenges.

“Of course, we remember that it wasn’t easy for our grandfathers and fathers, because the entire history of the holy land of Karabakh has been a struggle for freedom, life, and the right to live on your own ancestral land,” Bordov said.

Both the people of Nagorno-Karabakh and the Russian peacekeepers are facing a difficult, crisis situation, he said.

“We must definitely stand on the same side of the barricades today,” he added.

“Of course we don’t have anything against the population of Azerbaijan, but we are against the blockade that has been continuing for 206 days and the other actions by the Azerbaijani military-political leadership taken in the Karabakh land, contrary to the trilateral statement. This all, as well as historical memory about the tragic events in Sumgait, Baku and Nagorno-Karabakh when cruel crimes were committed against the Armenian population, dictates the impossibility of being part of Azerbaijan and coexistence in these conditions, the wounds of losses are too deep,” Bordov said.

He called on everyone to contribute to having a safe and prosperous Artsakh.

The representatives of the Russian community attached importance to the Armenian-Russian friendship and discussed options for resolving the situation resulting from the blockade.