Putin States How the Nagorno-Karabakh War Could Have Been Avoided

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed that the war in Nagorno-Karabakh could have been avoided had the proposals aimed at resolving the situation, developed back in 2013, been accepted. "In 2013, within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia formulated conditions that were agreed upon and supported by all participants of the Minsk Group, including co-chairs Russia, France, and the USA," Putin said during a broadcast on Russia 24, as reported by RIA Novosti.

Putin recalled provisions that formed the basis of the proposals, including the return of five districts under Armenian control, followed by the return of another two districts, the creation of a corridor that would connect Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia, recognizing Nagorno-Karabakh's status without consolidating its final status, and the return of refugees from both sides.

"In my opinion, this would have resolved the issue. Unfortunately, we have approached a final resolution several times... From my perspective, had we succeeded, an agreement could have been reached, and there would have been no war. I am now confident of this," Putin stated.

It should be noted that earlier, Putin mentioned convincing Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to cease hostilities in October on the condition of returning refugees to Shushi, but Armenia opposed it.

Recall that on November 9, the leaders of Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan reached an agreement on the deployment of Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh, and a statement was signed.