Putin: Macron accusations of Russia in Armenia-Azeri conflict perverse

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
14 Oct 2022 12:48
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Russian President Vladimir Putin says French Presiden Emmanuel Macron's statements regarding the role of Russia in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict are "perverse."

Russian President Vladimir Putin (AFP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed claims from his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Friday that Moscow was "destabilizing" the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which have fought over the Nagorno-Karbakh area for decades.

During a meeting of leaders of CIS countries in Kazakhstan, Putin said "I believe that these statements show a lack of understanding of the course of the conflict," adding that Macron's remarks "sounded incorrect, I would even say perverse, therefore (they are) unacceptable."

However, Putin said "there will be an opportunity" to "discuss" things further with Macron.

Furthermore, the Russian President invited the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to Russia for talks "at any time, in any place" noting that "Russia has always sincerely sought to resolve any conflicts, including issues related to Karabakh."

Previously, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said France was trying to "drive a wedge into Russia's relations with Azerbaijan and Armenia".

Russia called for a diplomatic solution in Nagorno-Karabakh

Russia has called on Armenia and Azerbaijan to refrain from further escalating the situation on the border and comply with the ceasefire, the Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed on Tuesday.

"We call on the parties to refrain from further escalation of the situation, exercise restraint and strictly observe the ceasefire in accordance with the tripartite statements of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia dated November 9, 2020, January 11 and November 26, 2021," the Ministry said in a statement.

According to the statement, Moscow is extremely concerned over the sharp aggravation of the situation in certain areas of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border on Monday night.

All disputes between the two countries should be resolved exclusively through political and diplomatic means, the Russian Foreign Ministry considered.

Both Caucasus countries were once part of the Soviet Union, and Moscow has long attempted to mediate the strife that has arisen between them since the 1990s.