YEREVAN, Oct 29 – RIA Novosti. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan stated that he was ready at a meeting with the presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan to issue an extension of the terms of the mission of Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh for up to twenty years.
«I officially declare that I am ready to sign a document in Sochi to ensure the representation of Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh unconditionally, unconditionally, was provided for 10, 15, 20 years,» the Armenian politician said.
He suggested that Vladimir Putin should make such a proposal. Pashinyan added that he could do it himself, but in this case, Russia should support the initiative, since he cannot determine the duration of the stay of the peacekeepers.
«This is a trilateral document, and if we and Russia agree, we will, then we will be the majority «, — explained the prime minister of the republic.
Putin's press secretary Dmitry Peskov, when asked about the possibility of signing any documents on Karabakh, urged to wait for the meeting of the leaders, which will be held on October 31.
The Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan SSR. During the armed confrontation in 1992-1994, Azerbaijan lost control over Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent regions. Since 1992, negotiations have been underway on a peaceful settlement of the conflict within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group, headed by three co-chairs — Russia, the United States and France. Azerbaijan insists on maintaining its territorial integrity, Armenia defends the interests of the unrecognized republic, since the NKR is not a party to the negotiations.
At the end of September 2020, hostilities resumed in Nagorno-Karabakh, which became a continuation of a long-term conflict and led to civilian casualties. The parties made several attempts to conclude a truce, but the tripartite agreement reached on the night of November 10 was successful. With the mediation of Moscow, Azerbaijan and Armenia agreed to a complete ceasefire and exchange of prisoners and bodies of the dead. Yerevan also transferred the Kalbajar, Lachin and Aghdam regions to Baku. In addition, Russian peacekeepers have been stationed in the region.