Russia: Third parties seeking to interfere "only add fuel to fire" in KarabakhSeptember 29, 2020 - 19:45 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Kremlin believes that statements by third parties about possible military support to Armenia and Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict only add fuel to the fire, press secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov told reporters on September 29. According to him, the parties to the conflict "should be persuaded" to return to a political and diplomatic way of settlement, TASS reports. "We call on all countries, especially our partners such as Turkey, to do everything to convince the warring parties to cease fire and return to a peaceful settlement of this long-standing conflict," Peskov said. He stressed that the Russian side maintains constant communication with Yerevan, Baku and Ankara. Peskov's comments came hours before the Armenian Defense Ministry revealed that a Turkish F-16 fighter aircraft flying in Azerbaijan has downed an Armenian Su-25 attack bomber flying in Armenia's airspace. Azerbaijan launched a major offensive against Karabakh (Artsakh) in the morning of September 27, shelling Armenian positions and civilian settlements with large caliber weapons and rocket systems. Armenia and Karabakh have introduced martial law and total mobilization. The Armenian side has reported deaths and injuries both among the civilian population and the military. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | European Parliament to discuss repression in Azerbaijan The European Parliament will discuss repression of civil society in Azerbaijan on April 24 PACE wants concessions from Azerbaijan to accept Baku back A PACE co-rapporteur said that Azerbaijani authorities must make certain concessions so that the country can return to PACE. Armenia PM, France envoy discuss regional matters Issues related to the consistent development of Armenia-France cooperation were discussed. Azerbaijan razes historic Armenian church to ground Azerbaijan has demolished the historic Armenian Church of St. John the Baptist (known as Kanach Zham). |