Pashinyan opposed the transfer of Russian peacekeeping forces to Armenia

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that the Russian peacekeeping contingent stationed in Karabakh should return to Russia after leaving the region. He answered the question about the possibility of deployment of peacekeeping forces in Armenia.

"These are peacekeeping troops of the Russian Federation in Nagorno-Karabakh. If they leave, they should return to Russia," Pashinyan said in an interview with Armenian public television.

At the same time, he noted that the issue of the presence of Russian peacekeeping forces in Karabakh does not depend on Armenia's position.

"Russia is conducting certain negotiations with Azerbaijan. This issue is being discussed with us as well," he said.

The Russian peacekeeping contingent was deployed in Karabakh in accordance with the agreement of November 10, 2020 between Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. The tripartite document envisages the presence of peacekeeping forces in the region until 2025, with the possibility of extending this period.

Maria Zakharova, representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, noted that after Armenia recognized Karabakh as the territory of Azerbaijan, the conditions for the presence of peacekeeping forces in the region changed. According to him, the issue of their placement is being discussed with the government of Azerbaijan. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said the presence of peacekeeping forces in the region is "required".

On October 5, Russian peacekeeping forces began dismantling temporary observation posts along the former line of contact in Karabakh. At the same time, it was noted that the withdrawal of the peacekeeping contingent from the region has not yet been planned.

Source: Daryo.uz