Putin Articulated Official Position of Russia on Nagorno-Karabakh

As RIA Novosti news agency reported, President Vladimir Putin explained Moscow’s position on the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Armenia does not recognize the sovereignty of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR), he stated while on the air of the Russia 1 TV channel.

“From the point of view of international law, Nagorno-Karabakh and all adjacent regions is an integral part of the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan,” he said.

According to Putin, Russia was not obliged to get involved in the conflict. The Collective Security Treaty Organization requires mutual assistance only in case of military aggression against the territory of a state-member. Because there were no attacks to the territory of Armenia, Moscow avoided direct participation in military clashes.

On November 9, the presidents of Azerbaijan and Russia and the prime minister of Armenia signed a peace deal on a cease-fire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting from November 10, 2020. Under the deal, Russian peacekeepers were introduced in the area between two sides and took control of the corridor connecting Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia.

Earlier on September 27, Azerbaijan and Armenia announced the escalation of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. In turn, Kazakhstan called on the two states to take all measures needed to stabilize the situation, to stop military actions and to start negotiations. During the conflict, various types of weaponry were used, including artillery, tanks, aircraft and even unmanned combat air vehicles.