Information on US Demand-Threat Regarding Nagorno-Karabakh is Unfortunately Reliable: Zakharova

Information on the US demand-threat regarding Nagorno-Karabakh is unfortunately reliable. This was stated today by Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, during a press briefing in response to questions about reports circulating in Russian media regarding the US demanding that the authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh negotiate with Azerbaijan in some third country, threatening that otherwise Baku would carry out an 'anti-terrorist operation' against Nagorno-Karabakh.

'First, regarding the material that has appeared in the media, it has emerged from several sources, and unfortunately, the information provided there is reliable. Second, Russia is ready to contribute to the dialogue between Baku and Stepanakert around the rights and security guarantees of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh, as we have repeatedly informed the interested parties. Third, the Russian peacekeeping contingent was deployed in the region in accordance with the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020. This defines the main scope of its activities. And I would like to reiterate that the main task of Russian peacekeepers is to maintain the ceasefire regime in the area of their responsibility,' said the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

When asked how possible such actions are, Zakharova noted that 'unfortunately, there are grounds for information about the existence of such a school of thought.' She added: 'Everything depends on how much the legal approach that we have adopted in these statements will prevail, or whether in any case it will be implemented, or at least there will be an attempt to implement this destructive program that has been reported by the media... I believe we have already invested enough of our efforts, we have proven everything to everyone and are ready to work step by step in all directions, from the situation on the ground to the economy. Once again, I say this path is certainly not covered with roses. This is very difficult daily work that requires enormous effort. But we have done it, and we are ready to do it further,' concluded Maria Zakharova.