Dear compatriots,

Today marks the 30th anniversary of our independence, yet we do not feel the joy we should be experiencing on this momentous day. For the first time, we mark it in the aftermath of a planned and devastating defeat, territorial losses, partial loss of sovereignty, and thousands of shattered lives.

The formation of Armenia as an independent state was inseparably linked to our victory in Artsakh, fueled by the heroism of that triumph, which became a part of Armenian identity. Just a year ago, we took pride in our armed forces and were a significant factor in the geopolitical dynamics of the South Caucasus.

But today, not only have we ceased to be the guarantor of Artsakh’s security, we are also unable to protect our own sovereignty and our citizens. We have lost what we were proud of over the past thirty years—what gave the country strength and geopolitical weight.

Nations are built on waves of national uplift and rest upon national unity. Defeat—and the leadership that symbolizes it—cannot be a source of inspiration and creation.

Today, as I congratulate you on Independence Day, I want to express hope and confidence that our nation will find the strength to rid itself of the leadership that caused this national catastrophe. There is no other path toward building a strong and prosperous Armenia.