Vladimir Putin: Russia does everything possible to find acceptable solution to Karabakh problem

Russia is doing everything possible to find a solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict acceptable to both sides, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during today's Q&A session.

"This is a very sensitive issue that should be dealt with extremely carefully in accordance with the principle ‘do not harm’. This is an old problem, a long-standing conflict. Unfortunately, there was an outbreak of violence and we will do everything to help resolve it, to find solutions acceptable to both sides," RIA Novosti cited him as saying.

"Russia is interested in resolving the conflict, no matter what people say. Because we want to work with both Azerbaijan and Armenia. Millions of Azerbaijanis and Armenians live in Russia. Russia will make its contribution, but the peoples of Azerbaijan and Armenia must make the final decision," Vladimir Putin stressed.

Recall, on the night of April 2 all frontier positions of Azerbaijan were exposed to heavy fire from large-caliber weapons, mortars, grenade launchers and guns. In addition, Azerbaijani settlements near the front line, densely populated by civilians, were shelled.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20% of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The two countries signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the US, are currently holding peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the UN Security Council's four resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.