Putin wants return of “some areas” to Baku, Karabakh referendum: media

PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia and personally President Vladimir Putin will actively contribute to “achieving a compromise” in the Nagorno Karabakh peace talks, which are due to begin in the coming days, Izvestia reports citing diplomatic sources familiar with the matter.

The Russian leader, in particular, is ready to personally convince the political authorities on both sides of the need for compromise.

According to the source, the Russian settlement plan envisages “giving a part of the territory to Azerbaijan, stationing peacekeepers in the conflict zone, returning the refugees, legitimizing Karabakh (i.e. ensuring the opening of borders and the establishment of economic ties), and holding a referendum afterwards.” None of the parties, however, agree to such a plan, unless the outcome of the referendum is predetermined in their favor.