President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin says the fact that Nagorno-Karabakh is unrecognized, including by Armenia has left a major trace on the course and perception of the events, TASS reported.

“As far as recognition is concerned and lack of recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh as an independent and sovereign state, there can be different evaluations, but this was unquestionably an essential factor in the case of the bloody conflict that was recently stopped,” Putin said.

“Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia after the criminal acts committed by the former authorities of Georgia. Russia recognized that the expression of the will of the people of Crimea and their aspiration to reunite with Russia. Some people might like this and some might not, but we did this based on the interests of people who live there and based on Russia’s interests,” Putin said and called attention to the fact that “Russia didn’t do this in the case of Nagorno-Karabakh and, of course, this had an impact on the events that took place.”