Your trusted source

Russian peacekeepers should remain in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) “indefinitely” as the conflict remains unsettled, Artsakh Republic State Minister Artak Beglaryan said in an interview with RIA Novosti on Friday.

Beglaryan stressed that at present there is an urgent need for the presence of Russian peacekeepers.

He said that Azerbaijan is not ready for negotiations based on the three key principles proposed by the international mediators, including the territorial integrity, right of nations to self-determination and non-use of force or threat of force.

Beglaryan added that Artsakh officials should look for ways to gradually solve issues, eventually with direct talks with Azerbaijan.

“Once the conflict is settled, the issue of the further stay of peacekeepers could be reconsidered. They could stay here as a guarantor of security out of necessity and based on the situation. But at this point there is an urgent need for Russian peacekeepers to stay in Karabakh," Beglaryan stressed, adding the number and capacity of peacekeepers should be increased.