The Russian Foreign Ministry promised to adapt the work of peacekeepers in Karabakh to new conditions

The activities of Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh will be adapted to new conditions. This was stated by the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova.

“The conditions under which the Russian peacekeeping contingent was introduced into the region have been seriously adjusted, and against the background of the mass exodus of the population after the clash on September 19-20 of this year, the activities of our peacekeepers will be adapted,” she said (quote according to TASS).

Zakharova also recalled that several permanent and temporary observation posts of Russian peacekeepers have already been closed. October 7 Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that Russian peacekeepers have closed their observation post in the Askeran region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The solution involves disarmament and the movement of guard posts further from the contact line. Earlier, the defense department reported that Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh had closed temporary observation posts along the former line of contact.

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, said 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.