Lavrov: Putin and Aliyev discussed the further stay of the Russian peacekeepers in Artsakh 

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated that Presidents Putin and Aliyev discussed the further stay of the Russian peacekeepers in Artsakh and agreed that their presence at this stage facilitates stability and trust in the region, as well as the return of the residents of Artsakh who want to return.

“Our peacekeepers are there even after everyone recognized Artsakh as an Azerbaijani territory. But this issue no longer concerns the Armenian side; this is a matter of Russian-Azerbaijani bilateral relations,” Lavrov said.

The Russian foreign minister again accused the West of trying to drive Yerevan and Baku away from the Russian negotiation platform. Afterward, he noted that it was Prime Minister Pashinyan who recognized Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan in Prague.