Peace in the region depends not only on Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin could not directly answer the question whether Moscow will be able to guarantee the security of the residents of Nagorno-Karabakh. However, according to him, the trilateral working group is doing everything to ensure that war does not break out again in the region and normal relations develop between the residents of the region.
The children of Artsakh remember the soldiers who died in the war with Azerbaijan. Photo: Artur Avakov
Putin was asked about the fate of Artsakh during his direct line. First of all, the Russian President decided to emphasize the role that Moscow played in the end of the second war for Karabakh. Secondly, the residents of the self-proclaimed republic themselves should be interested in ensuring that this tragedy does not happen again. Thirdly, Putin believes that if Armenians and Azerbaijanis live peacefully and amicably, they will be able to create conditions for improving people’s lives not only in the security sphere, but also in the socio-economic sphere. At the same time, he stressed that there are still issues with the drawing of the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Recall that at the end of September 2020, Azerbaijan attacked the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh. The war lasted 44 days, after which Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a truce with Baku with the mediation of Russia. According to the agreement, Artsakh renounces its entire security belt, plus it loses the Hadrut district and Shushi. Russian peacekeepers will ensure the security of the republic and the only road to it through the Lachin corridor for 5 years (until November 2025).
However, many people in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh worry that after this time the peacekeepers will leave and the region will go to the Azerbaijanis. Official Baku adds fuel to the fire, which directly declares that the conflict in Karabakh is over, there can be no question of any recognition of Artsakh, and so on.
Experts explained to MK why Putin could not unequivocally answer the question about the security of the residents of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic:
— It is not yet known what will happen in 4.5 years, when the mandate of the Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh will come to an end. Moreover, this understanding is not yet present either in Azerbaijan, Armenia, or Russia. Accordingly, the security of Artsakh depends not only on Moscow, but also on Baku and Yerevan.
In particular, the Armenian authorities should make more efforts to ensure that more opportunities for maneuver will appear in 4.5 years. For example, we need to work on the problem of the Lachin corridor and the return of refugees to Berdzor. So far, there is no improvement in this direction. At the same time, it should be emphasized that if Armenia does not show activity, Russia will not do it for it. Moscow is acting as a mediator and peacemaker, but cooperation can be expanded if there is a desire.
— So far, Russia is ensuring the security of Karabakh, and I hope that this will happen in the future. Fears that Russia will give up everything and leave in a few years should not be justified. Moscow has assumed responsibility, it is not in our habits to walk away from it. It seems to me that Putin has only confirmed this intention.
However, the situation is complicated. Turkey is actively developing the region, which is confirmed by the Shusha Declaration. All this dictates the need for a more serious and vigilant attitude to the implementation of the Union Agreement between Armenia and Russia.