The real situation in South Caucasus does not allow negotiations pause, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

Further consistent steps are necessary for restoring long-term peace and stability in the region since the US and France have stopped cooperating with the co-chairmen.

"As we noted earlier, the basic principles for the establishment of interstate relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia proposed by Baku and the reaction of Yerevan to them are designed to serve as a basis for the beginning of the Azerbaijani-Armenian negotiations on a peace treaty. This topic was discussed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in phone conversations with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on 9 April this year, as well as the day before by Sergey Lavrov in Moscow during talks with his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan and by phone with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov. Russia is determined to promote the conclusion of a peace treaty between Yerevan and Baku," she said.

"Ambassador for Special Assignments I.A. Khovayev will continue his work in the new capacity, namely as the Special Representative of the Russian Foreign Minister for promoting the normalization of relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia. His focus will be on the preparation of the above-mentioned peace treaty. We count on the support of our allies and partners in Baku and Yerevan for Khovayev's efforts. We are open for constructive interaction with other interested sides," she added.