Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov has commented on the Washington, D.C. talks between Armenian and Azerbaijani FMs with US Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun on the avenues for the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh [(Artsakh)] conflict in, Gazeta reported.

Peskov stated that the Karabakh conflict settlement process, which is at an acute phase, cannot and should not be a venue for competition.

He noted that Moscow is ready to welcome any step that will help prevent war. "We are closely monitoring the situation and still believe that there is no alternative to a peaceful settlement to this issue," the Russian presidential spokesman said.