The Kremlin commented on Yerevan’s accusations regarding Nagorno-Karabakh

Russia does not accept “reproaches” from Armenia; accusations of failure to fulfill the obligations of the peacekeeping contingent are groundless, said Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov.

“We do not accept such reproaches against us, especially after the official decision of the Armenian side to recognize Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan. De jure, now we are talking about the actions of the Republic of Azerbaijan on its territory,” he said.

Peskov added that the Kremlin is based on two main criteria: trilateral agreements from 2021 and 2022, as well as recognition by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of the 1991 borders of Azerbaijan.

“Therefore, such accusations against us are absolutely groundless, not based on anything,” the press secretary said, adding that Russia will continue contacts with the Armenian and Azerbaijani sides. In addition, Moscow will continue contacts with Armenians in Karabakh.

The Kremlin is now waiting to agree on the timing of a telephone conversation between President Vladimir Putin and Pashinyan. Negotiations with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev are not planned yet, Peskov added.

Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan said that Russia does not fulfill its obligations to protect Nagorno-Karabakh established by the tripartite statement of November 9, 2020. According to him, Moscow allegedly knew about Azerbaijan’s plans in early September. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that Baku informed Moscow a few minutes before the start of hostilities.

On the afternoon of September 19, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense announced the start of “anti-terrorist measures” in Nagorno-Karabakh to “restorate the constitutional order.” Today, September 20, the unrecognized NKR reported that agreements had been reached on a complete ceasefire and disarmament of troops through the mediation of Russian peacekeepers.