Russia calls on Azerbaijan and Armenia to immediately return to the existing agreements, Moscow is extremely concerned about the growing number of ceasefire violations in Karabakh, the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement released on Monday.
"We note with extreme concern the increase in the number of ceasefire violations. <...> We call on the sides to immediately return to the existing agreements," the Russian MFA said.
"The Russian MFA also warned Western players and local Russophobe elements against attempts to unbalance the situation by smearing Russia," the statement reads.
The ministry noted that Russia is ready to provide all necessary assistance to Azerbaijan and Armenia both on political level and on the ground - with the participation of Russian peacekeepers. "We proceed from the fact that in any case the local population must not suffer and no obstacles should be created to their livelihoods," said the foreign ministry.
It stressed that they consider the increased level of "accusatory and aggressive rhetoric in the public space of Azerbaijan and Armenia" dangerous.
"In the context of the latest developments on April 23, we stress the unacceptability of any unilateral steps in violation of the basic provisions of the trilateral statement of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia of November 9, 2020, whether it is about uncoordinated change of the Lachin corridor or attempts to use it for purposes not consistent with a peaceful agenda," the statement said.
"We believe that many of the problems that have arisen are the result of months of stalemate and lack of progress in the negotiation process on the main tracks of the trilateral agreements of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia, including the unblocking of transport communications in the region, launching the delimitation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and agreeing the parameters of the peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia. We hope that Baku and Yerevan will show political will, and will be able to overcome this negative dynamic in the near future," the ministry concluded.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Based on materials from TASS