I’m surprised by the fact that the Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) is convened in Baku this year.

Vice-Speaker of the National Assembly of Bashkiria Rafail Zinurov, who is also a member of the Russian Federal Council, told the aforementioned to Tert.am, noting that AzerbIjan did receive adequate response from Armenia during the four-day war. 

According to Zinurov, war will be inevitable if any of the Nagorno-Karabakh territories are ceded.

To the question as to the non-justification of Armenia’s expectations from Russia as an ally states, and the criticism regarding Russia’s arms sales to the adversary, Rafail Zinurov said: “I can only refer to Russia’s official position announced by President Vladmir Putin: the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict can only be settled by peaceful means, without use of force.” He declined to comment on the issues related to arms sales, saying that it is an international practice and “a most delicate political question.”

“Regrettably, all the states are selling and buying weapons. We are well aware that the situation does not allow Russia to take sides with one of the conflicting parties, and it is seeking to be neutral. The very fact of Armenia being Russia’s strategic partner and a CSTO member-state prevents strong-worded statements,” Zinurov said.

To the journalist’s statement that Armenia was the first to support Russia when the Russian-Turkish relations worsened, but Russia didn’t act similarly in Armenia’s case, member of the Russian Federal Council said that Armenia is Russia’s strategic partner and the only ally among the post-soviet states. According to him, Armenia should have supported Russia, given the history of its relations with Turkey.

“In any case, you can be sure Russia is doing its best to prevent bloodshed or war. You know, I am greatly surprised that Baku is hosting the Seventh Forum of UN Nations Alliance of Civilizations. They have killed people, and now look!”