Russia's Proposed Plan Allowed for Resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict Without Use of Force, Says Deputy Secretary of Security Council

The gradual resolution concept for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which Russia developed years ago, enabled the conflict to be addressed without the use of force. This was stated by Rashid Nurgaliev, Deputy Secretary of the Security Council of Russia, in an interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta.

Nurgaliev emphasized that Russia has always advocated for a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, taking into account the interests of all parties involved. He noted that in 2016, the Russian Foreign Ministry presented a phased resolution concept for the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh, the latest draft of which was handed over to the parties in 2019.

“If these proposals had been successfully implemented, conditions would have been created for the peaceful population of Karabakh to live normally, while Azerbaijan would have regained its lost territories without resorting to the use of force,” underscored the official.

Nurgaliev clarified that the concept provided for the return of five territories to Azerbaijan after the deployment of international peacekeeping forces, granting governing bodies and self-defense forces to Nagorno-Karabakh, and halting the regional blockade by Azerbaijan.

The second phase envisaged the transfer of two more regions to Baku under the clarification of the legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh, which would take place through a referendum in accordance with international norms. A corridor in the Lachin region was also proposed to ensure transport communication between Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia.

“These proposals were a key theme in the negotiation process, in which the OSCE Minsk Group, and the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan participated. Direct dialogue between Nikol Pashinyan and Ilham Aliyev continued until 2020, but unfortunately, a complete agreement was not reached,” added the official.