Kremlin Expects Stable Conditions After Ceasefire in Karabakh
16:40 21.09.2023 (Updated: 07:35 22.09.2023)
© Russian Defense Ministry
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VELIKY NOVGOROD, Russia (Sputnik) - On Wednesday, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh, mediated by Russian peacekeepers, have agreed on a complete cessation of hostilities.
Moscow expects that stable conditions will now be created for a ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh and the return of those displaced to their places of residence, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday.
"We do not know yet what the need will be. Our peacekeepers provided all the necessary services, made efforts to help these people leave dangerous areas. We proceed from the fact that a period of sustainable ceasefire will now begin, and accordingly conditions will be created for the return of these displaced persons to their places of residence," Peskov told reporters.
In addition, Peskov noted that Moscow has seen reports that there are detainees in Azerbaijan due to the death of Russian peacekeepers, all details are unknown, but an investigation is underway.
"The investigation is underway, this was discussed during a telephone conversation between the head of state and the president of Azerbaijan. Apologies have been made. We have also already seen and encountered information that some people there were suspended from their duties, and there are those detained in this regard. We have seen this information, we do not know all the details yet, but at least an investigation is underway," the spokesman revealed.
Earlier, Kremlin reported that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, during a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, apologized and expressed deep condolences over the death of Russian peacekeeping troops in Karabakh on Wednesday.
"At the initiative of the Azerbaijani side, Putin had a telephone conversation with Ilham Aliyev," the statement read, adding: "It was emphasized that the most thorough investigation of the incident will be conducted and all the perpetrators will be duly punished."
Moreover, the statement noted that "the Prosecutor General's offices of the two countries are in close contact" in connection with the incident.
"The President of Azerbaijan also expressed readiness to provide material assistance to the families of the victims," the press service of the head of the Russian state highlighted.
20 September 2023, 11:22
Furthermore, Kremlin revealed that Putin and Aliyev have agreed to intensify the trilateral negotiation process with the participation of Armenia, including on the preparation of a peace treaty between Baku and Yerevan.
"It was agreed to intensify work on the negotiating track in line with the well-known trilateral agreements at the highest level of 2020-2022, primarily in terms of unblocking transport links, delimiting the Azerbaijani-Armenian border and preparing a peace treaty between Baku and Yerevan," the statement read.
Apart from that, the Russian and Azerbaijani leader discussed measures, that should be primarily taken to stabilize the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, the press service said.
"Priority steps to further stabilize the situation and overcome humanitarian problems in the region were discussed," Kremlin noted.
In addition, Putin stressed that it is important to respect the rights and ensure the safety of the Armenian population in Nagorno-Karabakh.
"The readiness of the Azerbaijani side to cooperate with Russian peacekeepers on these issues has been confirmed," the statement added.
Regarding previous Putin-Aliyev contacts, the last time the leaders spoke by phone was in mid-March of this year. Then they discussed measures to ensure security and stability in the South Caucasus in line with the trilateral agreements of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia, and also exchanged views on the development of transport, logistics and economic ties in the region.
The last face-to-face meeting of the presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan took place at the end of May in Moscow after the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council (EAEU). Among the topics discussed at the talks were the normalization of relations between Baku and Yerevan, the interaction of the EAEU countries with Azerbaijan, and the development of Russian-Azerbaijani cooperation.
Baku and Yerevan have disputed the ownership of Nagorno-Karabakh since 1988. In September 2020, active fighting once again unfolded in the region. On November 9, Putin, Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on the complete cessation of hostilities. Russian peacekeepers have been brought into the region to ensure the operation of humanitarian corridors. On May 17, 2023, at the summit of the Council of Europe, Pashinyan stated that Armenia recognizes the sovereignty of Azerbaijan within its borders, which includes Nagorno-Karabakh.
On Tuesday, another escalation began in Nagorno-Karabakh. Baku announced the beginning of "anti-terrorist measures of a local nature" and demanded the withdrawal of the Armenian military from the region. Yerevan stated that there are no Armenian-armed forces in Karabakh, and called what is happening "large-scale aggression."
Russia called on the parties of the conflict to stop the bloodshed and return to a diplomatic settlement. On Wednesday, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry announced that an agreement had been reached with the participation of the Russian peacekeeping contingent to suspend anti-terrorist activities in Karabakh from 12:00 Moscow time. A meeting of representatives of Baku and the Armenian population of Karabakh "to discuss issues of reintegration" was held in the Azerbaijani city of Yevlakh today.
