Putin to discuss Karabakh-related issues with Pashinyan

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Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that he will be discussing security issues in Karabakh with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, noting that there were many issues but contact was constant between the two sides.

"Of course, security issues, including those related to Karabakh, will also be at the center of our attention. There are still many problems, I agree with you. We are constantly in contact with you. I don’t know, we definitely prepare by phone every week or every ten days, and meetings are regular, despite the pandemic period," Putin said. 

Furthermore, Putin recalled that the Armenian president's visit coincides with the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Russian-Armenian diplomatic relations. 

The meeting is "planned to sign a number of documents. To a fairly solid base," he added. 
 
According to Putin, the document base will create a good opportunity to work in almost all areas.

Armenia seeks Russian action over Azerbaijani 'incursion'

On March 28, Armenia called on Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh to take "concrete steps" after Azerbaijani forces seized control of a strategic village in the breakaway region.

Azerbaijani troops had occupied the village of Farukh in Nagorno-Karabakh, escalating tensions in the region amid Russia's military operation in Ukraine.

The area is under the control of Russian forces, who were stationed in Karabakh as part of a Moscow-brokered ceasefire that halted weeks of conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Province in late 2020.

Azerbaijan's forces had been withdrawn from the settlement, according to Russia's Defense Ministry, although Baku claimed control of the area.

Armenia's Foreign Ministry demanded an "examination into the Russian peacekeeping contingent's conduct during the Azerbaijani incursion" in a statement issued, noting that Azerbaijani troops remained in the area.

"We expect Russia's peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh to take concrete steps to put an end to Azerbaijani units' incursion into the zone of responsibility of peacekeepers," the statement said.

With its military fully engaged in Ukraine, a big flare-up in Karabakh might represent a challenge for Russia.