Russia's MFA on 5 Years Post-War: Role, Results & Tasks Ahead

On the fifth anniversary of the signing of the trilateral statement on the ceasefire in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone on November 9, 2020, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation issued a comprehensive statement. It presented the results of its mediation efforts over the past five years, the role of its peacekeeping mission, and the current state of the normalization process between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The statement is not only a look back at the work done but also a clear message to Yerevan and Baku, emphasizing the work that still needs to be done to make the peace process irreversible.

The Russian MFA gives a key place in its statement to the activities of the Russian Peacekeeping Contingent (RPC), describing it as an "irreplaceable contribution to the stabilization of the situation and ensuring security in the region," which was given "also at the cost of the lives of our soldiers."

Referring to the resumption of hostilities in September 2023, the Russian MFA emphasizes that Russian servicemen "contributed to the establishment of a ceasefire, ensured the safety of the civilian population by sheltering about five thousand civilians, including more than two thousand children, at their deployment points and observation posts, and guaranteed the safe exit of the Armenian population to Armenia." It is noted that the peacekeepers continued to fulfill their duty until June 12, 2024, their final return to their homeland.

Summarizing the past five years, the Russian Foreign Ministry at the same time clearly points out the problems that are not yet resolved. "Baku and Yerevan still have a lot to do to make the process of normalizing bilateral relations irreversible," the statement said.

The signing of a peace treaty, the restoration of transport and economic communications in the interests of all countries of the South Caucasus and their immediate neighbors, the fair delimitation and demarcation of the state border, as well as the establishment of effective contacts through civil society are mentioned as priority steps.

At the end of its statement, the Russian side reaffirms its readiness to "continue to provide all possible assistance to our Azerbaijani and Armenian partners in all areas," including within the framework of the "3+3" (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia – Russia, Iran, Turkey) regional cooperation platform.