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The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh in the South Caucasus claims more deaths despite attempts at international mediation. Russian President Vladimir Putin believes that several thousand people have died since fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan resumed.
So far there have been nearly 2,000 deaths on both sides, Putin said in Moscow. This means that the total number of deaths “is already 5000”. The Russian president referred to “our data.”
Putin’s figures are higher than those of the two warring parties. Nagorno-Karabakh authorities said 874 soldiers had been killed so far. In addition, more than 30 civilians have already died. The Azerbaijani side speaks of 63 civilians killed, but does not yet give any death toll for the military.
Putin now also depends on the United States to influence the conflict peacefully. “I am very hopeful that our American partners will act together with us and help with the deal,” he told the so-called Valdai Club, a leading forum of experts on Russia. The background for this is the planned talks between the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers in Washington.
There were already two ceasefire agreements, both of which were broken shortly after their entry into force. Both sides held each other accountable for this, as well as for the outbreak of fighting in late September. The first ceasefire was decided with the mediation of the Kremlin. Armenia views Russia as its protective power. Azerbaijan sees Turkey as its most important ally.
Stoltenberg: Turkey should use “its considerable influence in the region”
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called on the Ankara government on Thursday to help ease the conflict. Armenia and Azerbaijan would have to end their hostilities and comply with an immediate ceasefire, Stoltenberg said after a videoconference by NATO defense ministers. As a NATO member, he expected Turkey “to use its considerable influence in the region to defuse tensions.”
The conflict has been going on for three decades. Putin said: “Even if 30 years of negotiations do not produce a result, that does not mean to start shooting.” The head of the Kremlin once again urged a return to the negotiating table.
Russia, France and the US mediate the conflict as the so-called Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Putin did not rule out changing the format without being specific.
Navalny poisoning: Putin refers to relocation to Germany
The Russian president also used the event in Moscow on Thursday to comment on the poison attack on Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny. He collapsed on August 20 on a flight in Siberia and was flown to Germany two days later for treatment.
Putin claimed that he himself asked the prosecutor to clear the way for Nawalny’s departure, even though there had been restrictions on the 44-year-old. If the power apparatus had wanted to poison someone, it would hardly have sent the victim to Germany for cure, Putin said. The Kremlin denies accusations by Germany and other countries of being involved in the poison attack on Navalny.
