Russia's role in Karabakh settlement weakening

PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia's role in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement is weakening. Unlike the United States, Moscow doesn't render financial assistance to NKR, head of the interethnic relations department at the institute of political and military analysis Sergei Markedonov said in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net



Satisfied with contacts with Armenia, Russia doesn't demonstrate any intention to engage Nagorno Karabakh as a full-fledged participant in the talks, according to him.



"After proclamation of Kosovo's independence and its recognition by a number of states, Russia outlined its stand on Abkhazia and Ossetia but prefers to avoid Nagorno Karabakh. Meanwhile, strategy should never be restricted to recognition or silence. There are lots of approaches. I should also mention that the position of official Yerevan and unrecognized Stepanakert do not always coincide. Undoubtedly, Russia needs sustainable relations with Azerbaijan. But recognition of NKR as a party in talks is recognition of political reality but not recognition of de facto state," he said.

Full text of the interview