Russia did not bring NATO to the region. This was stated by Russian Ambassador Sergey Kopyrkin in an interview given to the Public Television of Armenia, referring to the remark that on the one hand, the Russian foreign minister accuses Armenia of close relations with NATO and the West, on the other hand, after the 44-day war in 2020, Russia set up a joint observation post with NATO member Turkey in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), thereby actually bringing a NATO member to the region.

"We know what relations there are between Turkey and Azerbaijan, and Turkey's presence in the joint monitoring center is probably a reflection of that reality. But it is not exclusively Russia's reflection on NATO.

"When we [i.e. Russia] talk about NATO, we are worried that what we call the ‘collective West’ has declared Russia their strategic opponent—and even enemy—at this moment. Certainly, the trends that exist in the relations with the West are observed in Russia with double caution. It is natural that we cannot oppose it in any way, we do not force a confrontation, we don't view politics [as] ‘either with us or against us.’ In this situation, we must take into account that the objectives of the West are arranged in such a way that a struggle be waged against Russia itself on all fronts, be it regionally or internationally. From this point of view, Russia's concern is understandable and justified," said the Russian ambassador to Armenia.