The presence of Russian troops in Karabakh should not be temporary, but permanent, as the region will not be able to ensure security by its own forces, said the President of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Araik Harutyunyan.
"The region is in such a way that we alone are not able to ensure peace, that is, security. And the presence of Russian troops here should not be temporary, but permanent," Harutyunyan said at a meeting with residents of the Martakert region, a video report from which he posted on his Facebook page on Wednesday.
According to him, had Russian troops not entered the region, Karabakh "would have had a very different fate."
Fighting resumed in Nagorno-Karabakh in late September 2020, a continuation of the long-running conflict that has resulted in civilian casualties. The parties made several attempts to conclude a ceasefire, but a trilateral agreement reached on the night of November 10 proved successful. With Moscow mediating, Azerbaijan and Armenia agreed to a complete cease-fire and to an exchange of prisoners and dead bodies. Yerevan also gave Kelbajar, Lachin and Agdam districts to Baku. In addition, Russian peacekeepers were stationed in the region.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Stanislav Krasilnikov / TASS
Based on materials from RIA Novosti