July 16, 2026 - 11:10 AMT
Russia awaits Armenia, Azerbaijan on 3+3 talks: Zakharova

Russia is waiting for Armenia and Azerbaijan to agree on the order of future meetings of the foreign ministers of the countries participating in the 3+3 regional platform, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said.

According to Zakharova, the relevant understanding was reached following the platform's meeting in Istanbul in October 2024, News.ru reported.

“During the first expert-level meeting of the 3+3 platform, held on June 5 as part of the 2026 St. Petersburg Forum, participants strongly supported focusing on practical, mutually beneficial economic projects free from politicization. We fully share this approach,” Zakharova said.

In December 2025, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said that Baku had proposed holding the next 3+3 meeting first in Azerbaijan and then in Armenia. According to him, Yerevan did not support that sequence.

The 3+3 platform is a regional cooperation format comprising Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia, Türkiye and Iran. It was established to discuss security, transport links, trade and other economic projects in the South Caucasus. Georgia, however, does not effectively participate in the platform's activities.

Earlier, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said Moscow hopes the next 3+3 meeting will take place in Baku or Yerevan. He also noted that negotiations between the Armenian and Azerbaijani sides are continuing.