Involvement of Foreign Military from Other Areas in Artsakh Not Seen as a Sign of Stability

A senior representative of the U.S. State Department has responded to questions regarding the ceasefire agreement in Nagorno-Karabakh, stating that "Certainly, the involvement of foreign military from other areas is not seen as a sign of stability." This was reported by Voice of America.

Question - The ambassador mentioned the ceasefire agreement in Nagorno-Karabakh, which stipulates that Russian peacekeepers will be deployed to the region. How do you perceive this new situation as a threat or change, a risk of altering stability, by sending Russian troops there? Is this a real risk, or is it perceived as such?

Response - We have discussed this a bit in France as well. Of course, we have talked about it in meetings with French officials, and you will see a statement welcoming the end of active military operations and violence, which has indeed been quite brutal over the past few weeks. Now we have a ceasefire that has been maintained for at least a whole week. We still do not clearly know what agreement the Russians are working on, and that is what we are engaging with. Like the French, we are committed to the Minsk co-chairs and the process, and I believe our representatives in that process will meet this week.

Question - Today?

Response - Maybe today. We will continue to focus more on that. But, of course, as you know, we were all working together with the three co-chairs trying to establish a ceasefire. There was a statement yesterday.

Question - Yes, from the Secretary.

Response - It also discussed the humanitarian assistance we were providing in the region.

Question - But does the fact that there are Russian peacekeepers at the border present a risk for Georgia? Do you perceive that as a threat?

Response - As you know, the Russians are simply on their way to occupy 20 percent of Georgia, and the Georgians do not like that, and we support them in their desire to fully regain their sovereignty.

Question - What is your opinion on Turkey's intention to send peacekeepers to Nagorno-Karabakh?

Response - It is quite unclear. We have never broadly supported that. It is interesting to see that Putin essentially says, 'No, there are no Turks there,' and the Turks were very dissatisfied with that. Certainly, the involvement of foreign military from other areas is not seen as a sign of stability.