Sergey Lavrov
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov commented on the relationship between Russia and Turkey in regional conflicts. He assessed the “dependence” of the former on the latter in an interview with the Kommersant newspaper.
When asked by the interviewer whether Moscow is too dependent on Ankara in matters of conflicts from Syria and Libya to Nagorno-Karabakh, Lavrov noted that the countries are close partners that are capable of showing a flexible, pragmatic approach. In his opinion, they can be guided by a “strategic vision” in relations with each other.
As an example of such interaction, the Foreign Minister cited Syria, where, together with Iran, Turkey and Russia managed to create a settlement mechanism – the “Astana format”. In Libya, both countries are helping to create conditions for overcoming the crisis.
“In the case of Nagorno-Karabakh, the situation is fundamentally different (…). We have never concealed and do not hide the fact that we do not support the forceful way of resolving the crisis, we strive for an early end to hostilities. It is important for both the parties and all their external partners to strictly respect the ceasefire agreements, ”Lavrov stressed. He added that Moscow will continue to use all its influence in the region to stop hostilities.
On October 26, a ceasefire came into force in Nagorno-Karabakh. The corresponding agreements were reached by Azerbaijan and Armenia with the mediation of the United States. The third truce began at 08:00 local time (07:00 Moscow time), but soon the sides accused each other of violating the silence and continued to fight.
In 1991, Nagorno-Karabakh, the majority of whose population were Armenians, declared independence from Azerbaijan. Baku tried to return the region by force, a war broke out. In 1994, Azerbaijan, Armenia and the unrecognized NKR signed a truce.
