The Foreign Ministry reported the demand for Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh

The presence of Russian peacekeepers on the territory of Karabakh is in demand, and it will be necessary in the future. About it reported Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin in an interview RBC.

“It cannot be ruled out that some of those who left Karabakh today will at some stage decide to return. And the presence of peacekeepers will be an additional factor of calm for these people,” he said.

In addition, with the mediation of Russian peacekeepers, a number of issues regarding the “further development of Karabakh” are being resolved between representatives of the Karabakh Armenians and the Azerbaijani authorities. According to Galuzin, Moscow and Baku will jointly decide what the modalities for the further presence of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in the region will be.

On November 9, 2020, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia signed a trilateral ceasefire agreement in Nagorno-Karabakh. According to the document, Russian peacekeepers were 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.

On September 19, Azerbaijan announced the start of “anti-terrorist measures.” The next day, Karabakh authorities announced the conclusion of agreements on a complete ceasefire. On September 28, the president of the unrecognized republic, Samvel Shahramanyan, signed a decree on the termination of its existence from January 1, 2024 and the dissolution of all government institutions and organizations.

At the end of September, the press secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov, commenting on the further fate of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh, statedthat this issue will be discussed with Azerbaijan.

Later, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova stated, that Moscow has information about the desire of some residents to return to Karabakh, “if conditions for this are created and their safety is ensured.” The diplomat emphasized that Russia is ready to facilitate these processes together with Baku.