The reproaches of treason that Russia allegedly did not provide significant assistance to Armenia in the process to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh [(Artsakh)] conflict are absolutely groundless. This opinion was expressed by Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov in an interview with RT television on Friday, TASS reports.

And, "of course," the Kremlin spokesman said in response to a question about whether Moscow continues to consider Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev its friends.

"Only this approach, only the fact that Russia values its relations with Armenia—we are in the EEU, we are in the CSTO with Armenia, Armenia is a country with which we have built relations for centuries—and the same is with the Azerbaijanis, and our friendship, historical friendship with the people of Azerbaijan and the people of Armenia is precious to us; only this approach enabled Russia to play the role of an impartial mediator [in the ceasing of the Nagorno-Karabakh war]," Peskov said.

According to him, the OSCE Minsk Group has proposed formulations for the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the adoption of which a few years ago would have avoided the recent bloodshed.

As per the Russian presidential spokesman, the recent hostilities in the region were preceded by "many years of attempts by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and, first of all, Russia, to offer some formulations for the settlement."

"These formulations existed, they are well known to the participants in the international negotiation process, but, unfortunately, they did not work for one reason or another," Peskov added. "If they had been carried out—even two years ago, this bloody war would probably not have taken place, and it would have been possible to avoid the killing of thousands of young Armenians and young Azerbaijanis."

To note, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Monday night signed a joint statement on a complete cessation of hostilities in and around Artsakh. Accordingly, Russian peacekeepers will be deployed in the region to monitor the implementation of the ceasefire and the cessation of hostilities. But this statement also stipulates the handover of part of Artsakh lands to Azerbaijan.