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Russian Billionaire Renounces Citizenship, Will Move To Disputed Nagorno-Karabakh
https://www.rferl.org ^ | September 01, 2022 | RFE/RL STAFF

Posted on 09/01/2022 7:57:51 PM PDT by UMCRevMom@aol.com

A Russian billionaire of Armenian descent has decided to renounce his Russian citizenship and move to the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Ruben Vardanyan said he made the decision to move to Nagorno-Karabakh with an understanding of all the risks he may face.

“This was a difficult but right decision," Vardanyan said in his video statement issued on September 1. Vardanyan stressed that after the 2020 Armenian-Azerbaijan war over Nagorno-Karabakh, which resulted in Baku regaining control over big chunks of the disputed region and seven adjacent districts, "many people in Artsakh (the Armenian name of Nagorno-Karabakh) started feeling that they have been abandoned."

"I believe that after the 2020 war, we, Armenians of the whole world, must be together with Artsakh," Vardanyan said, adding that after settling in Nagorno-Karabakh he will move all his assets in Russia to his family fund.

Vardanyan's announcement comes less than a week after Azerbaijani forces took control over the key town of Lachin, linking the breakaway region with Armenia. The town had been under the control of Russian peacekeepers since the six-week war that left more than 6,500 dead ended in November 2020 with a Moscow-brokered cease-fire.

Baku last month forcibly took control of several strategic heights near the disputed region, and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said that people who "illegally settled" in villages in the Lachin district should leave the area "on their own will." He added that families of Azerbaijanis who had been forced to leave the territory 30 years ago would be returning. Nagorno-Karabakh, which along with the seven adjacent districts had been under ethnic Armenian control for nearly three decades prior to the war in 2020, is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan.

Vardanyan, 54, was born in Yerevan. He is the former chief executive officer and shareholder of the Troika Dialog investment bank that was bought by Sberbank in 2011. Last year, Forbes estimated Vardanyan's assets at $1 billion.

Since Russia launched its ongoing unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in late February, many oligarchs and businesspeople have left Russia amid Western sanctions targeting some Russian tycoons close to Kremlin over its aggression against Ukraine.


TOPICS: Extended News; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: fridiots4demwars; omg; rinowarpimpsonfr

1 posted on 09/01/2022 7:57:51 PM PDT by UMCRevMom@aol.com
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To: UMCRevMom@aol.com

For his sake, I hope this dude is really careful around windows and high places and...

Question: What happened to the Russian “peacekeepers”? Pooty too busy to reinforce them?


2 posted on 09/01/2022 8:59:27 PM PDT by Paul R. (You know your pullets are dumb if they don't recognize a half Whopper as food!)
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To: UMCRevMom@aol.com

He moved to a disputed border area where the “peace” is “protected” by 2000 Russian peacekeepers… to get away from the Russians? 🙄


3 posted on 09/01/2022 9:00:00 PM PDT by Alter Kaker (Gravitation is a theory, not a fact. It should be approached with an open mind...)
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To: Alter Kaker

“He moved to a disputed border area where the “peace” is “protected” by 2000 Russian peacekeepers… to get away from the Russians?”

Fear

“It is dangerous to be right in matters on which the government is wrong.”
Voltaire

Vardanyan, 54, Last year, Forbes estimated Vardanyan’s assets at $1 billion.

Since Russia launched its ongoing unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in late February, many oligarchs and business-people have LEFT RUSSIA amid Western sanctions targeting some Russian tycoons close to Kremlin over its aggression against Ukraine.


4 posted on 09/01/2022 9:43:45 PM PDT by UMCRevMom@aol.com (Pray for God's intervention to stop Putin's invasion, )
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To: UMCRevMom@aol.com

Must be a slow day for Ukie propaganda..l


5 posted on 09/01/2022 9:49:24 PM PDT by aMorePerfectUnion (Fraud vitiates everything. )
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To: aMorePerfectUnion

“slow day for Ukrainian info”

Much info actually. Remember, Loose lips sink ships

ORCS are still struggling keeping their military in the fight.

Ukrainians continue highly motivated.


6 posted on 09/01/2022 10:07:57 PM PDT by UMCRevMom@aol.com (Pray for God's intervention to stop Putin's invasion, )
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To: UMCRevMom@aol.com; aMorePerfectUnion
Must be a slow day for Ukie propaganda..l...aMorePerfectUnion

“slow day for Ukrainian info”

Why did you lie quote the other poster?

7 posted on 09/02/2022 3:40:03 AM PDT by BlackbirdSST (Trump WON!!! The Gestapo closes ranks.)
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To: BlackbirdSST

I didn’t quote anyone - I made a statement.


8 posted on 09/02/2022 5:36:17 AM PDT by aMorePerfectUnion (Fraud vitiates everything. )
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To: UMCRevMom@aol.com

I stand amazed at how you Zeepers lap the propaganda up.


9 posted on 09/02/2022 5:37:26 AM PDT by aMorePerfectUnion (Fraud vitiates everything. )
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To: aMorePerfectUnion

I didn’t address that to you but about you. The propo queen is the one that lie quoted you.


10 posted on 09/02/2022 6:22:17 AM PDT by BlackbirdSST (Trump WON!!! The Gestapo closes ranks.)
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To: BlackbirdSST

I see. Sorry, it confused me.


11 posted on 09/02/2022 6:30:20 AM PDT by aMorePerfectUnion (Fraud vitiates everything. )
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