Russia considers freezing of Azerbaijan-Armenia normalization talks counterproductive

Russia considers freezing of talks on the normalization of Azerbaijan-Armenia relations counterproductive, Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

"Pursuant to the trilateral statements signed by the Russian, Azerbaijani, and Armenian leaders, Moscow has consistently contributed to the normalization of Baku-Yerevan relations. The Russian Defense Ministry and Russian peacekeepers have been making enormous efforts in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to resolve the situation around the Lachin-Khankendi road. Since December 12, 2022, more than two and a half tons of humanitarian cargo were delivered to the region in interaction with charitable organizations," she recalled.

"No matter how tense the situation in the region is, we consider freezing the negotiation processes under this pretext counterproductive," the spokesperson said.

She stressed that such linkages delineate the prospects for sustainable peace and stability throughout the South Caucasus.

According to Zakharova, Russia is ready to will provide all the necessary support in holding the regular meetings of the trilateral working group co-chaired by the vice-premiers for unblocking economic and transport ties in the region and the commission on the Azerbaijan-Armenia border, as well as new negotiating rounds on a peace treaty at the level of foreign ministers.