Armenia’s third President Serzh Sargsyan claims that the situation would be completely different now if Armenia had properly applied to Russia for assistance during the 2020 war in Artsakh.

"I can say what I have always said about the future of Artsakh and Armenia: Karabakh will never be a part of Azerbaijan. I am 100% sure of it," Sargsyan told reporters at an opposition rally in Yerevan on Friday evening.

He is confident that a “great future” awaits Armenia, adding the country's potential is yet to be unlocked and utilized. Speaking about Armenian-Russian relations, the ex-president stressed that Moscow has been and remains Yerevan's ally.

"Russia is ready to live up to its commitments as an ally. However, there is a need for the Armenian leadership to move in the right direction – not to make some verbal statements during the conflict, but to appeal to Russia for help in accordance with the procedures outlined in the bilateral treaty," Sargsyan said.

“I believe if Armenia had appealed to Russia in line with the appropriate procedures during the 44-day war, we would have a completely different situation now,” he noted.