Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh, mediated by Russian peacekeepers, have agreed on a complete cessation of hostilities, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
"With the mediation of the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent between the Azerbaijani side and representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh an agreement on the complete cessation of hostilities was reached. The implementation of these agreements will be carried out in coordination with the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent," the ministry stated.
The defense ministry explained that the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent is in close contact with the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides, representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh, with whom it is discussing issues of "prevention of bloodshed, compliance with the norms of humanitarian law in relation to the civilian population, and ensuring the safety of the Russian peacekeeping contingent".
Russian peacekeepers continue to perform their duties in Nagorno-Karabakh in febrile conditions, the ministry said, adding that 2,261 civilians, including 1,049 children, are at present located in a base camp of peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Baku, which on Tuesday announced the launch of "local-level anti-terrorist activities" in Nagorno-Karabakh, gave as a condition for peace the complete withdrawal of Armenian troops from the region and the dissolution of the unrecognized authorities in the Karabakh city of Stepanakert.
On Wednesday, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry announced that an agreement had been achieved to halt anti-terrorist measures in the region from 13.00 local time (10.00 GMT). The ministry added that "illegal formations" in Nagorno-Karabakh would surrender all arms and heavy equipment in accordance with the agreement, which is ensured by Russian peacekeepers.
The Russian Foreign Ministry called on both sides for an immediate end to the bloodshed and hostilities, and to avoid civilian casualties and resume the implementation of the November 2020 trilateral agreements.
Nagorno-Karabakh is a region in Transcaucasia. The overwhelming majority of the population is Armenian. In 1923, the region received the status of an autonomous region within the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic.
In 1988, a movement for reunification with Armenia began in Nagorno-Karabakh. On September 2, 1991 independence from Azerbaijan was proclaimed and the name was changed to Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. From 1992 to 1994 Azerbaijan tried to take the self-proclaimed republic under its control, which was a full-scale military action, during which up to 30,000 people were killed.
In 1994, the parties agreed on a ceasefire, but the status of the republic has not been determined. In late September 2020, hostilities resumed in Nagorno-Karabakh. On the night of November 10, Azerbaijan and Armenia, supported by Moscow, agreed to a complete ceasefire, staying in the occupied positions, exchanging prisoners and corpses. Russian peacekeepers were stationed in the region, including the Lachin corridor.
In September, Russian President Vladimir Putin pointed out that the Armenian leadership had essentially recognized Azerbaijan's sovereignty over Karabakh. Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev said that Azerbaijan and Armenia could sign a peace treaty by the end of the year if Yerevan does not change its position.