Armenia hopes that long-term peace in Karabakh [(Artsakh)] will be ensured through joint efforts with Russia. Armenian Defense Minister Vagharshak Harutyunyan stated this in an interview with RIA Novosti.

According to him, the Armenian side proceeds from the fact that, first of all, the security of the people of Artsakh shall be ensured by the Artsakh Defense Army. "Of course, there is still a lot to do in terms of restoring the combat-readiness and modernizing of the army. But whatever happens, it must be done. Secondly, Armenia, just like before, remains the guarantor of the security of the people of Artsakh, and we will never give up that historic mission," the minister said.

"Thirdly, the most important thing is the Russian presence in the region, owing to which, first, it was managed to reach a ceasefire and then prevent a humanitarian catastrophe. I believe a long-term peace in the region will be ensured thanks to the efforts of the Russian Federation," Harutyunyan added.