In case of absence of a peaceful settlement, that is, failure of Azerbaijani soldiers to return to their starting positions within reasonable timeframes, the Armed Forces of Armenia will reserve the right to solve the problem, including by force. This is stated in the press release issued by the Ministry of Defense of Armenia.

“As of the evening of May 18, the situation created after the provocations made by the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border on May 12-13 hasn’t changed. The situation is relatively calm.

The Ministry of Defense of Armenia attaches importance to the need for a peaceful settlement of the issue, highly appreciates the efforts made by various countries and international organizations in this direction and reckons with the calls that those countries and international organizations have made for a peaceful settlement. In this regard, the negotiations that were launched on May 14 are in progress.

Nevertheless, in case of absence of a peaceful settlement, that is, failure of Azerbaijani soldiers to return to their starting positions within reasonable timeframes, the Armed Forces of Armenia will reserve the right to solve the problem, including by force.

Once again, the Ministry of Defense declares that any encroachment on the sovereign territories of the Republic of Armenia is absolutely unacceptable, and Azerbaijani soldiers must leave the territory of the Republic of Armenia.”