MOSCOW. - There is no need to expect progress in the Artsakh [Nagorno-Karabakh] peace progress this year, Russian expert Eduard Popov told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

“The only progress is likely to be lack of regress. Militarization and increase of tension takes place around the unrecognized Artsakh,” the expert said.

Asked whether Ukraine’s active relations with Azerbaijan may hamper the objectivity of official Kiev during its OSCE chairmanship, Popov said that that Ukraine has just held parliamentary elections and its Parliament is under formation and the official Kiev has to review its opposition and eastern and western foreign-political partners.

Traditionally relations between Ukraine and Azerbaijan are wider, as compared with Armenia, however, in case Ukraine occupies tough anti-Russian position, it will have to experiense unnecessary blockage on all fronts.