Armenia Recognizes Artsakh as Part of Azerbaijan: Immediate Preparations for Peace Treaty Needed, Says Russian Foreign Ministry

In meetings held under the auspices of the European Union in October 2022 and May 2023, Armenia recognized Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan's territory. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated, "We respect the sovereign decision of Armenia's leadership; however, it fundamentally alters the basic conditions under which the declaration of November 9, 2020, signed by the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia, was agreed upon, as well as the situation of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in the region."

The statement continued, "We believe that, in this context, the fate of the Armenians in Artsakh should not be placed on third countries. Immediate preparations for a peace treaty between Baku and Yerevan should begin, relying on previously reached agreements."

Furthermore, the Russian side insists that an integral part of this Agreement must be reliable and clear guarantees of the rights and security of the Armenians of Artsakh, as well as the comprehensive and unwavering implementation of tripartite agreements between Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia, including the unblocking of transport communications and the launch of the border delimitation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The Russian side reaffirms its intention to actively contribute to international efforts aimed at restoring the normal functioning of life in Artsakh. They are also prepared to host a trilateral meeting of foreign ministers in Moscow soon to discuss the implementation of high-level agreements, including the topic of coordinating the peace treaty, which will be followed by a Russian-Azerbaijani-Armenian summit in Moscow for the signing of the aforementioned document.

It is concerning that the situation around Artsakh is developing under a negative scenario today. The humanitarian crisis in the area is deepening. The local population is experiencing acute shortages of food, medicine, and essential goods, and is practically deprived of electricity and gas supplies. This could have the most dramatic consequences for the Armenians of Artsakh—residents of the region.

The Armenian Foreign Ministry calls on the Azerbaijani leadership to take immediate measures to unblock the Lachin corridor, thereby resuming the unhindered movement of citizens, vehicles, and goods in both directions, as well as addressing the region's energy supply needs.