US Concerned About Situation in Nagorno-Karabakh: Statement

The United States is deeply concerned about the movement of Azerbaijani troops in Nagorno-Karabakh. According to Armenpress, this was stated by Deputy Spokesperson for the State Department Jalina Porter during a press briefing with reporters.

“The movement of troops and other actions that escalate tensions are irresponsible and unnecessary provocations,” Porter said, noting that the State Department is closely monitoring the situation on the line of contact since the ceasefire was declared in November 2020.

She stated that US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Karen Donfried has had phone conversations with the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan and reaffirmed what Secretary of State Antony Blinken previously told Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev: that both sides must exercise restraint and intensify diplomatic communications to find comprehensive solutions to all critical issues.

“Armenia and Azerbaijan simply need to use direct communication channels to immediately de-escalate the situation,” Porter noted. She also added that the United States, as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, remains deeply committed to working with the parties for a lasting political resolution of the conflict.