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In his first public comments on the fighting that broke out on September 27, Putin called it a “tragedy” that showed no signs of ending. Russia has maintained a balance between the two neighbors of the former Soviet Union and called for a ceasefire, but did not openly support either side.
“People are dying. Both sides are suffering heavy losses and we hope that the fight will end as soon as possible,” Putin said in a television interview.
The Russian president emphasized that Armenia is a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a military alliance led by Russia and six countries of the former Soviet Union. Azerbaijan and the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region are not part of the CSTO. Nagorno-Karabakh is a land that lies within the territory of Azerbaijan as if it were separated from Azerbaijan’s control in the 1990s. The international community still recognizes that Nagorno-Karabakh belongs to Azerbaijan.
Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke for the first time about the fighting between Amernia and Azerbaijan. Photo: Kremlin
“We have certain obligations under this treaty. Russia always respects and will continue to honor its commitments. It is a pity that hostilities continue, but they do not take place on the territory.” of Armenia “- radio station Russia 24 Mr. Putin quoted.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was more explicit in saying that Russia’s obligations under the CSTO “do not include Karabakh.”
Bed sheet The Moscow Times reported that Putin had spoken with the Armenian prime minister at least five times since the conflict broke out. Then, on October 7, he had his first phone call with the President of Azerbaijan.
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has continued to rage since the 1994 ceasefire, most recently the outbreak of six-day fighting in 2016 and clashes in July 2020.
After 10 days of fighting, according to Reuters, more than 360 people were killed, including 320 soldiers and 19 civilians in Nagorno-Karabakh, 28 residents of Azerbaijan. The 1991-1994 war involving Nagorno-Karabakh killed some 30,000 people.
An Armenian shootout with Azerbaijani forces in Nagorno-Karabakh. Photo: AP
Nagorno-Karabakh was engulfed in flames. Photo: AP
Turkey reportedly deployed Syrian mercenaries and drones to aid its ally Azerbaijan in the latest fighting. Analysts say Ankara’s direct involvement runs the risk of dragging Russia into full-scale conflict.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was “trying to restore the Turkish empire” with “terrorist attacks” to support the Azerbaijani people in Karabakh. Mr. Pashinyan said that the actions of Turkey and Azerbaijan in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh area contributed to the continuation of the Armenian genocide.
During the Ottoman Empire, 1.5 million Armenians were killed between 1915-1923.
Reuters reported that France, the United States and Russia will continue their efforts to end the fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia by holding talks in the city of Geneva, Switzerland, on October 8. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said representatives of the three countries will also meet in Moscow on October 12 to try to persuade the parties to negotiate a ceasefire agreement.
Le Drian did not specify whether or not representatives of Armenia or Azerbaijan were involved, but Azerbaijan announced that Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov would arrive in Geneva on October 8. Meanwhile, Armenia said Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanya will visit Moscow on October 12, but did not give details.
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