Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev says direct peace talks with Armenia is a possibility if Yerevan rejects Russian mediation.

"As for the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, we are ready to go for it. We are ready to continue working on the peace agreement. If the Armenian side rejects the mediation of the Russian Federation, I think that an alternative could be direct negotiations between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia. We will analyze some other platforms, considering the attitude of the countries that offer their services for the sake of truth. not to Azerbaijan, but to the truth and international law," the APA quotes Aliyev as saying at the 53rd session of the Council of Heads of Security Bodies and Special Services of the CIS Member States in Bishkek, the Kyrgyz capital.

Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan did not attend the summit citing “a number of circumstances.”

Aliyev said his country gratefully accepts Russia's mediation in the normalization of relations with Armenia.

"We gratefully accept the mediation of Russia, because Russia is our neighbor and ally, as well as the ally of Armenia. This country is in our region, unlike those thousands of kilometers away. And, naturally, the history of relations between our countries implies mediation by the Russian side," Aliyev said.

Aliyev regretted Armenia’s refusal to attend the Bishkek negotiations, noting it "puts into doubt Yerevan's claims to establish peace in the region."

The Armenian Foreign Ministry has announced that Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan will not attend a meeting of the top diplomats of CIS countries in Bishkek.

"We positively accepted that proposal, and our foreign minister was ready to meet with Russian and Armenian partners. Unfortunately, the Armenian side refused to attend that meeting. Now the question arises: does Armenia want peace? I think not, because if they wanted peace, I would not refuse that opportunity. The Prime Minister of Armenia flies to Granada for six hours, participates in an incomprehensible meeting where Azerbaijan is discussed without the participation of Azerbaijan, but he cannot fly to Bishkek for two-three hours. He has important business. We should talk openly about all this," Aliyev said.

Photo: Press service of the President of Azerbaijan