Moscow has no idea about recognizing the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh and including it in Russia, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
“Regarding the exotic proposal to include Nagorno-Karabakh in the Russian Federation, as I understand it, the independence of Karabakh has not been recognized by anyone, including the Republic of Armenia, we have no such thoughts. We proceed from the fact that all the issues of this region should be resolved between the countries located here, and primarily between Armenia and Azerbaijan”, – Lavrov said at a press conference following the results of 2020.
He stressed that the Russian Federation will be ready to help find a solution that will ensure peace, stability and security in this region.
The conflict in Karabakh began in 1988, when the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan SSR. In the course of the armed confrontation in 1992-1994, Azerbaijan lost control over Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent regions. Since 1992, negotiations have been underway on a peaceful settlement of the conflict within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group, headed by three co-chairs – Russia, the United States and France. Azerbaijan insists on preserving its territorial integrity, Armenia protects the interests of the unrecognized republic, since NKR is not a party to the negotiations.
Fighting in Karabakh resumed at the end of September 2020, the escalation of the conflict led to casualties among the civilian population. The parties made several attempts to conclude a truce, but the tripartite agreement reached on the night of November 10 turned out to be successful. With the mediation of Moscow, Azerbaijan and Armenia agreed to completely cease fire and exchange prisoners and bodies of the dead. Yerevan also handed over the Kelbajar, Lachin and Aghdam regions to Baku. In addition, Russian peacekeepers are stationed in the region.