Zakharova does not see release of Artsakh officials in Azerbaijan to be discussed during Armenian-Azerbaijani contacts

In response to the journalist’s question as to whether the issue of the release of Ruben Vardanyan and other Artsakh officials imprisoned in Azerbaijan has been raised during Russian-Azerbaijani contacts, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said: “I cannot see that issue being raised during Armenian-Azerbaijani contacts. If you provide such information, I think it would be useful to know. Let me remind you once again that Ruben Vardanyan gave up his Russian citizenship. I think such questions should be addressed to Baku and Yerevan. Russia advocates comprehensive normalization of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations within the framework of tripartite agreements.”