YEREVAN. – The parties to Karabakh conflict must avoid destabilizing arms purchases, U.S. Ambassador John Heffern said in an interview with RFE/RL Armenian service.

His comments came in response to a question about media reports alleging Russia is selling weapons to Azerbaijan.

The U.S. is one of the three co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group to find the negotiated peaceful settlement to the Karabakh conflict, he said, adding that his country is a key part of this process.

Ambassador Heffern recalled that during his recent visit to the region newly appointed U.S. co-chair James Warlick repeated the message that the three Minsk Group leaders issued many times in public: avoid destabilizing by arms purchases, refrain from belligerent rhetoric and look for mutually beneficial means to resolve the conflict peacefully.

“There is no military solution to the conflict,” he emphasized.

Asked whether the arms sale was discussed with Russia, Ambassador Heffern noted: “We talk to them [other co-chairing states Russia and France] all the time, including about issues on Armenia and Azerbaijan.”