Russia is one of the countries closely watching the protracted conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Russia is also a member of the OSCE Minsk Group and one of the three parties that signed the statement together with Azerbaijan and Armenia after the 44-day war that began on September 27 last year.
Russian peacekeepers have stationed in Karabakh, and a ceasefire was reached at Russia’s initiative following clashes on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border a few days ago. What goals did Russia pursue during the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and what goals does it pursue in the post-conflict period?
Russian Foreign Ministry representative Maria Zakharova told “Izvestia” that intensive work is underway to resolve the situation around Karabakh. “Consultations and negotiations with foreign ministers are underway. We interact with the ministries of foreign affairs and through the embassies literally every day. Messages about telephone conversations between the heads of the foreign ministries, both through Russia-Azerbaijan and through Armenia, are published regularly … colossal efforts have been invested by our country in resolving this situation, both in the hot phase … and in the post-acute phase of the conflict. ”
MP Aydin Mirzazade told Turan that today Azerbaijan is going through a post-conflict period. “This conflict is no longer there, our territorial integrity is guaranteed. In accordance with the two trilateral agreements, Azerbaijan is gradually continuing its creative work.”
In his words, despite the defeat of the revanchist forces in the parliamentary elections in Armenia, one senses that revanchist sentiments reign in the government itself. “The shelling of our positions on the border is due to his hostile intentions.”
Mirzazade noted that Russia is not a party to the conflict. “And we cannot demand anything from her. However, we can only wish Russia to take a more active part in the peacekeeping process. ”
The MP stressed that there has been considerable tension in Russian-Armenian relations lately. “Armenia is gradually moving away from Russia on a number of issues. From this point of view, it would be wrong to say that Russia fully controls the situation in Armenia or has a serious mechanism to exert influence. ”
However, in his opinion, Russia could from time to time more actively express its attitude to these issues. “He could directly appeal to the party initiating the conflict.”
Mirzazade noted that at the same time, public opinion in Russia should express its attitude to the negative role that Armenia continues to play in the region. “Unfortunately, the appearance in the Russian media of a large number of media- captains of Armenian origin prevents the emergence or emergence of this opinion. On the contrary, they are trying to justify the Armenian side. They are trying to position such an irresponsible person and provocateur like Zhirinovsky.”
He believes that the last offensive statement of Vladimir Zhirinovsky to Azerbaijan is not accidental. “There were some Armenian circles there.”
The deputy stressed that in any case, the world and, above all, Russia today should be interested in establishing peace in the region. “This region is the southern border of Russia, Russia is a direct participant in the Caucasian process, and we would like the Russian side to express its political attitude to these issues from time to time. As for the response to provocations, Azerbaijan responded to them and will continue to respond”.
Security expert Ilham Ismail said that Russia has been imposing its will on the South Caucasus for 200 years. “Its intention is to preserve its influence in the South Caucasus, to declare the three post-Soviet republics of the South Caucasus as its zone of influence and thereby prevent any actions by the West and Turkey.”
According to the expert, Russia cannot fully achieve these goals. “Georgia is already out of its sphere of influence. Anti-Russian sentiments have significantly increased in Armenia. In Karabakh, she wants to maintain military influence. She is seeking to ensure that those who are present in Karabakh as “peacekeepers” remain there in the long term on a long-term basis as a military base. ”
In his opinion, for this very reason, for nine months, despite the end of the war, peacekeeping activities were not carried out. “No steps have been taken to establish and normalize any relations between the Azerbaijani and Armenian peoples,” he said. On the contrary, Russia is not neutral; it is on the side of the Karabakh separatists. No matter how irritated Russia is with the leadership of Armenia, it continues to pander to the rhetoric about the independence of Karabakh. Russia is also increasing its military contingent in Karabakh. The provisions of the statement of November 10 – the return of our internally displaced persons, the withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces, the opening of roads and ensuring their safety.
Source: Turan News Agency