We Hope It Won't Lead to New Clashes: Rudенко on Baku's Position Regarding Nagorno-Karabakh's Status

Moscow expects that Baku's position on the status of Nagorno-Karabakh will not trigger a new wave of conflict. The issue of determining the status of Nagorno-Karabakh is sensitive for both parties involved in the conflict, and there is no timeline for its resolution. This was stated today by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko to journalists.

“We hope that it will not lead to new clashes, especially bloodshed. Nevertheless, the Minsk Group continues to play a significant role in addressing the issues not reflected in the trilateral agreement,” he said.

Rudenko added that the increase in the number of Russian peacekeeping forces in Nagorno-Karabakh is not under discussion.

It is noteworthy that Ilham Aliyev has stated that “there can be no talk of the status of Karabakh.” He mentioned, “I have said many times that we will not allow the establishment of a second Armenian state within Azerbaijan's own territory. I have repeatedly stated that the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan cannot be the subject of negotiations. I have said that Azerbaijan will restore its territorial integrity. I said that if not through peaceful means, then by military force. My speeches are everywhere; they have been published. I said those words and I stand by them,” according to reports from RIA Novosti in a message to the people from Fuzuli. He emphasized that the territorial integrity of the country has now been restored.