Putin calls for ceasefire in Karabakh to end "tragedy"October 7, 2020 - 12:59 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russian President Vladimir Putin has described fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh as a "tragedy" and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. "It's a tragedy. We are very worried, because Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Nagorno-Karabakh are all territories whose peoples are no strangers to us," Putin said on Wednesday, October 7. "A huge number of Russian citizens maintain close, friendly relations with the republics. Of course, this is a huge tragedy, people are dying, heavy losses on both sides. "We hope this conflict ends in the near future. But if it is not completely exhausted, apparently, this is still a long way off, we are calling, and I want to say this again, we are calling for a ceasefire." Azerbaijan, with help from Turkey, launched a large-scale offensive against Karabakh (Artsakh) in the morning of September 27, shelling Armenian positions and civilian settlements with large caliber weapons and rocket systems. Armenia and Karabakh have introduced martial law and total mobilization. The Armenian side has reported deaths and injuries both among the civilian population and the military. International and local journalists too have been injured in Azeri shelling of towns and villages. Donations can be made to Hayastan All-Armenian Fund, which has launched a fundraising campaign to support Karabakh amid Azerbaijan's aggression. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. CSTO recognizes Armenia’s sovereign right to withdraw Tasmagambetov has said that if Armenia decides to leave the organization, “it will be the sovereign right of Armenia.” Ex-President: Only removal of “defeatist” rulers can save Armenia Former Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has shared a message on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. |