Peskov: the further presence of Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh will be discussed with Baku

Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh are on the territory of Azerbaijan, so their further presence in the region will be discussed with Baku, said presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov.

During a conversation with journalists, he was asked to comment on the words of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan that the peacekeepers would not be able to redeploy to Armenia if they leave Karabakh.

“Now, indeed, de facto and de jure – our peacekeepers – are located on the territory of Azerbaijan. This is recognized by the Prime Minister of Armenia Pashinyan. As for the further regime of their stay and all related modalities, then, of course, this will be discussed with the Azerbaijani side,” he said.

Peskov also added that this issue was not discussed during the conversation between President Vladimir Putin and Pashinyan. Contacts with Armenian friends will continue, he emphasized.

Earlier on October 10, official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova notedthat the activities of Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh will be adapted to new conditions. The Russian military has already dismantled several permanent and temporary observation posts in connection with disarmament and the movement of guard posts further from the contact line.

Russian peacekeepers are in the region in accordance with a trilateral agreement between Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia, signed in November 2020. According to the document, they are stationed along the contact line in Nagorno-Karabakh and along the Lachin corridor to monitor compliance with the ceasefire. The duration of their stay in the region is five years from the date of signing the agreement, with subsequent extension for the same period, unless either party waives this provision.