Putin։ Balance of interests is key for Karabakh settlement

PanARMENIAN.Net - Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that it is necessary to find a balance of interests between Armenia and Azerbaijan in order to reach a solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

"How can a long-term settlement be reached? In finding a balance of interests that would suit both sides – both the Azerbaijani people, for whom we have unwavering respect, and the interests of the Armenian people and the government of Armenia," told the forum Russia Calling on Thursday, October 29.

Putin reminded that the conflict began with ethnic clashes: “The then leadership of the Soviet Union did not take any effective measures to ensure the safety of the people. The Armenians took up arms and did it themselves."

This led to the fact that Nagorno-Karabakh itself and seven other regions of Azerbaijan went under the control of Armenia, Putin said. He added that now Azerbaijan insists on its right to return seven regions that he said are not related to the ethnic conflict, and further understand the fate of Nagorno-Karabakh. “Everyone has their own truth,” the Russian leader said. "There are no easy solutions here."

Putin stressed that Russia's position has not changed: “We proceeded from the fact that we need to talk about the possibility of transferring five plus two regions to Azerbaijan with the provision of a certain regime of the Karabakh zone, its interaction with Armenia,” he explained.

Azerbaijan, with help from Turkey and Syrian and Libyan mercenaries deployed by Ankara, started a war against Karabakh (Artsakh) in the morning of September 27. The Armenian side has reported deaths and injuries both among the civilian population and the military. Foreign and local journalists too have been injured in Azeri shelling of towns and villages.