Moscow ready to help Yerevan, Baku settle borders if both sides want itMay 18, 2021 - 12:51 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia will provide assistance to Armenia and Azerbaijan in resolving tensions on the border, if such a request comes from both sides, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko told reporters on Monday, May 17. "It is normal when parties, in such an environment, turn to us for help, assistance, mediation, especially since we have experience in developing the statements from November 9 and January 11," Rudenko said. "Therefore, if such a request is made by all the participants, and not just by one of the parties – I mean by Azerbaijan and Armenia – we will be ready to provide the assistance we can." Rudenko said the Foreign Ministers of the member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) will discuss the tension on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border in Dushanbe on May 19. Armenia has asked for help from the CSTO, of which it is a member, to end Azerbaijan's presence on its soil. On the morning of May 12, the armed forces of Azerbaijan violated the border of Armenia in the southern province of Syunik, advancing 3.5 kilometers and surrounding Sev Lake, which is situated on the border between the two countries but is predominantly a part of Armenia. On May 13, the Azerbaijani military committed more border violations against Armenia, advancing near Vardenis (Gegharkunik province) and Sisian (Syunik province). 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 | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. 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.” |