Vladimir Putin explained Russia's position on Nagorno-Karabakh and named the reasons for the escalation of the conflict, answering a relevant question at a press conference.
According to the Russian President, the military conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh was caused by the tension accumulated over the years between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the situation is out of control. Putin said, that the conflict was unlikely to be caused by outside interference.
Why did it happen now?? The situation is out of control, this tension lasted for many years. I do not think, what happened due to some outside interference. Friction has occurred repeatedly, shootouts and minor skirmishes. So in the end it all turned into a conflict.
– he added.
Moscow's position on this conflict was the only one – this is a settlement without bloodshed. The parties had to come to an agreement and stop hostilities. The main result of the agreement reached was a ceasefire, other questions are already secondary.
At the same time, the Russian leader emphasized, that the status of Karabakh established by the trilateral agreement should remain unchanged, Russia will adhere to the position of the achieved status quo, but with obligatory communication between Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia through the Lachin corridor.
We always, for many years, I will now repeat our position, proceeded from the fact, that the seven held areas around Nagorno-Karabakh should be returned to Azerbaijan. The very status of Nagorno-Karabakh must remain unchanged, that is, it must be transferred to the future, the status quo in Nagorno-Karabakh must be fixed, but with the obligatory creation of the possibility of communication between Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia
– Putin explained.
Commenting on the violation of the ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh, the Russian president announced his hope, that this incident will be the only one. He did not rule out an increase in the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh, but he stressed, what will happen if agreed with both parties to the conflict.
