The Russian Federation continues to play a leading role in the process of promoting the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. It is more interested than anyone else in the speedy resolution of the crisis situation in the region. First Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN Dmitry Polyanskiy stated during the UN Security Council meeting.
"On September 19, there was a sharp escalation of the armed confrontation in Nagorno-Karabakh. The humanitarian situation became more acute. Risks of a sharp increase in the number of refugees have emerged. In the course of military clashes there are deaths among the civilian population. Unfortunately, Russian peacekeepers have once again taken a blow in the performance of their duty. There have been fatalities among them as a result of shelling.
We took note of the readiness of the Azerbaijani side to immediately conduct a thorough investigation into the tragedy and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Despite the difficult situation, the Russian peacekeeping contingent continues to carry out its tasks in good faith and to do everything possible to protect the peaceful population.
Since the resumption of hostilities, the command of the Russian contingent, in contacts with representatives of the Karabakh Armenians and the Azerbaijani authorities, has been making active efforts to immediately stop the bloodshed and hostilities, as well as to ensure compliance with the norms of humanitarian law with regard to civilians.
Some five thousand civilians were evacuated from the most dangerous areas, more than a thousand of them children. People were protected in the camp of our peacekeepers, where they took shelter from artillery and mortar fire. Medical assistance is being provided to the injured. Temporary accommodation and hot meals are being provided. With the active mediation of the Russian peacekeeping contingent on September 20, an agreement was reached on the complete cessation of hostilities from 13.00 and the beginning of negotiations between representatives of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh and the central authorities of the Republic of Azerbaijan on September 21. Today they are taking place in the town of Yevlakh with the participation and coordination of Russian peacekeepers.
The absolute priority is the need to prevent the resumption of hostilities and return the situation to the political and diplomatic field," he said.
He recalled that Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. "During the talks, hope was expressed that the situation will further develop towards de-escalation and stabilization, based on the fact that Armenian-Azerbaijani reconciliation should be accompanied by reliable and clear guarantees of security and respect for the rights of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh on the basis of universally recognized international principles," he said.
