In an interview today with Russian RBC news, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said Moscow is considering the possibility of a meeting of the foreign ministers of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan within the framework of the CIS summit in Bishkek on October 12.

"Dialogue between Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia on the entire complex of issues of settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict has never been interrupted. We hope that such contacts will continue,” Galuzin is quoted as saying, adding that Azerbaijan has already agreed to the idea.

"And we expect that the Armenian side will also approach this issue responsibly and agree to participate in such negotiations," Galuzin said.

Referring to the question of  possible cooperation between Russia, the U.S. and the European Union to normalize Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, Galuzin said it’s possible only if "the West takes into account what was achieved through the mediation of Moscow."

Galuzin said there are methods of a peaceful settlement that were developed between Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia in 2020 and the following two years.

 "If the European Union and the U.S. want to help their implementation, then, of course, we will not oppose it. But if we are talking about taking advantage of Russian proposals and acting without Russia, clearly such an approach cannot satisfy us," he said.

Galuzin stated there is still a need for Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno Karabakh.

"I think that the end point has not yet been set in the conflict situation. The situation on the ground is quite volatile. Many residents of Karabakh made a difficult decision to leave. But at the same time, I proceed from the fact that the mission of the Russian peacekeeping troops remains more than required," he noted.

The Russian official believes a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia should clearly record the provision of the rights and security of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh and Moscow has presented proposals to the parties in this direction.

Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry