In a bold and, for many, shocking departure from decades of nationalist rhetoric, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan recently described Azerbaijan’s retaking of Garabagh as a "blissful event"—not for Baku, but for Armenia itself. The statement, jarring in a country still emotionally tied to the loss of this contested region - but part of Azerbaijan in fact- has sparked a political firestorm in Yerevan. Yet however uncomfortable it may be, Pashinyan’s clarity deserves more attention than condemnation. His words signal a painful but necessary reckoning: Armenia’s future lies not in revanchism, but in regional peace, realistic diplomacy, and political maturity.

Pashinyan’s stance is no accident. Since the end of the 2020 war, when Azerbaijan regained control over much of Garabagh, followed by the complete withdrawal of Armenian forces and cleansing of Armenian separatists in 2023, the prime minister has tried to reposition Armenia’s national narrative. He has emphasized internal reform, border demarcation, and building relations with neighbors, including Turkiye and Iran. Yet, his efforts have come at great personal and political cost. The Armenian opposition has branded him a traitor and the "weakest leader in Armenian history." Mass........

© AzerNews