Azeri journalist: Russia may punish Azerbaijan in case of war in Karabakh

PanARMENIAN.Net - Political observer of Baku-based Zerkalo paper Rauf Mirkadyrov said that a new war in Nagorno Karabakh will destroy the entire system of relations in the South Caucasian region.

“The region’s countries gradually got rid off the fear that emerged after 2008, caused by the Russian-Georgian five-day war. Yet, if Azerbaijan launches a war in Karabakh, it is rather possible that “Russia will knock its block off,” Mirkadyrov said in Yerevan.

He noted that if hostilities are launched, it will be difficult to localize the conflict soon. “Troops are stationed 20-30km of the pipeline that defines the U.S. policy in the region. In case of a new war in Nagorno Karabakh, the entire system of relations will be destroyed, taking into consideration the fact that Turkey will not stay aside. The status of Nagorno Karabakh will hardly change, while its recognition is disadvantageous, like maintenance of current status-quo,” the Azerbaijani journalist said.

Responding to a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter’s question about possible war, Rauf Mirkadyrov noted that there are two options of the settlement: diplomatic and military. “If Armenia does not agree to compromises, Baku will be forced to solve the Karabakh conflict by the use of force. Armenia unleashed the war, and Azerbaijan has the right to retaliate,” Mirkadyrov said, rejecting all attempts to explain that it was Baku who started aggression against Nagorno Karabakh.