“Without Russia’s participation, nothing can be done,” the Russian president declared, addressing the question of the final settlement of the border situation between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Vladimir Putin explained that the Soviet Union maps are in the Russian army’s General Staff.
“The most important thing now is to finally settle the situation on the border, and here, of course, without Russia’s participation nothing can be done; here, probably, no one is needed besides the two sides and Russia. Why? There are very simple practical things—the maps, they are in the Russian army’s General Staff. They are maps that show how the borders between the Soviet republics ran. Based on these documents, one must sit down calmly with both sides; there are questions there that require compromises—somewhere to equalise something, somewhere to exchange something, but in such a way that it is recognised and beneficial to both sides. Can that be done or not? It can. But, of course, we are also in favour of finding a multilateral format, including revitalising the work of the Minsk Group; we are working in that direction, including with our partners,” the Russian president noted.
Putin continued that in any case, the important thing is to reach the main goal, which is the creation of a secure situation and, subsequently, the building of relations with a positive outlook.
“And, of course, it is necessary to look to the future and see what will happen. After all, the issue is not that the extension of the Russian peacekeeping force’s presence is being considered according to the point of the November 9 statement. Is that the question? The task is to establish relations between the two countries; that is the main thing. And I hope we will succeed in doing that,” Vladimir Putin emphasised.
“Among the primary issues facing Armenia is the unblocking of communications, the establishment of effective economic life and regional cooperation, including even with Azerbaijan in the future. In principle, Armenia is interested in all of this. To unblock relations with Turkey, to give them a modern character,” Vladimir Putin noted.
