My Biggest Mistake Was Breaking My Own Promise and Running for Prime Minister in 2018 — Serzh Sargsyan

YEREVAN — “My most correct and most difficult decision was breaking my own promise and running for the office of Prime Minister in 2018. Unfortunately, it was also my biggest mistake,” said Armenia’s third president, Serzh Sargsyan, in a statement marking the eighth anniversary of his resignation.

“In my life, I have made both right and wrong decisions. My decision to run for Prime Minister in 2018 was both my most difficult and, ultimately, my biggest mistake, because I failed to explain to our people that my goal was not to retain power, but to ensure the security of Artsakh and Armenia.

Yes, Nikol was right — he was ready to go all the way and had no red lines. I should not have run. I was mistaken in believing that we could explain to our people that my departure during such a complex negotiation phase would lead to disaster.

It was clear to me that changing the negotiator at that stage and resetting the negotiation process would have tragic consequences — which is exactly what happened. Not because I was the best negotiator, but because I deeply understood the process, knew all the parties involved, and carried institutional memory as someone who helped achieve and maintain victory.”

He added:
“Yes, Nikol was right — I failed to explain, while he managed to mislead the people.”