Armenian, Russian defense chiefs talk regional situation in Moscow

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan has briefed his Russian counterpart Sergey Shoygu on the situation in the region following the border escalation in mid-July.

The situation on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan escalated on July 12, with Azerbaijan launching several unsuccessful infiltration attempts throughout the next week. The Azerbaijani military also used artillery and combat drones to target civilian homes in several border settlements in Armenia. Five servicemen of the Armenian army were killed, while Azerbaijan reported 12 deaths. In recent weeks, though, the situation has been relatively calm.

The two Defense Ministers met in Moscow on Sunday, August 23, Defense Ministry spokeswoman Shushan Stepanyan has revealed.

The Minister also "provided information" on the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and the line of contact between the Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) and Azerbaijan.

"Tonoyan noted that the aggressive rhetoric and steps taken by some states are aimed at destabilizing and militarizing the situation in the region," Stepanyan said.

Shoygu stressed, in turn, that all countries should take steps to strengthen stability.