Abandoning symbol of Mount Ararat creates generation of different Armenians – Vitaly Milonov

Speaking with Alpha News, Russian MP Vitaly Milonov commented on the Armenian government’s order to remove the image of Mount Ararat from border stamps, the crisis in relations between Russia and Azerbaijan, and the impact of the creation of the so-called “Zangezur corridor” on Armenia.

“For an Armenian, giving up the symbol of Mount Ararat is unthinkable. You can give up anything. It is easier to stop drinking coffee in Yerevan than to relinquish Mount Ararat. This is creating a generation of different Armenians—one deprived of national pride. This is a generation of people who do not preserve the spirit that enabled Armenia to survive throughout its history and resist occupation by aggressive neighbors and state,” Milonov said.

According to Milonov, if communication lines are established through Armenian territory, they will serve foreign interests—contrary to the interests of Armenian sovereignty.

“The ‘Zangezur corridor,’ renamed to deceive Armenians, is being created against Iran, among other things. Therefore, a broad coalition has emerged there that wants to separate Armenia from the south, sever Armenia’s ties with its southern countries, and, in essence, encircle Armenia from the south with an iron, concrete wall. The ‘Zangezur corridor’ is nothing less than an attack on Armenia’s territorial independence and integrity within its constitutional, internationally recognized borders. And I believe that the ‘Zangezur corridor’ marks the first step in a serious blow to Armenia’s independence and very existence. The ‘Zangezur corridor’ will be a vein, but not one through which Armenian blood flows,” he said.