Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has commented on the military operations under way in Artsakh. He noted that there are heavy casualties on both the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides.
“According to our data, there are more than 2,000 casualties on each side, and the total number of casualties is approaching 5,000. During the 10 years of the Afghan war, 13,000 people were killed from the Soviet army, whereas here, in this short period of time, there are about 5,000,” Putin said.
Speaking on the live broadcast of the Valdai Discussion Club, Putin also noted that he very much wishes to find some compromise, and that he speaks several times every day with the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Russian president also expressed hope that the United States will support the settlement of the Karabakh conflict.
Putin also noted that their approaches to the situation in Mountainous Karabakh do not coincide with those of Turkey. The Russian president also stressed that if 30 years of negotiations over Mountainous Karabakh have not registered success, that does not mean one should start shooting. Putin also noted that previously, the Karabakh conflict was set off by brutal crimes committed against the Armenian people.
“It is a fact that first in Sumgait, and then brutal crimes were committed against the Armenians of Karabakh,” the president said.
