Peskov: There is no alternative to Russian mediation on Nagorno-Karabakh

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov assessed that there is no alternative to Russian mediation between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, at a time when Washington is organizing negotiations between the two countries.

"At this stage, there is no other legal framework that would contribute to the resolution (of the conflict). There is no alternative to the agreement reached," said Peskov, alluding to the ceasefire signed in 2020 between Armenia and Azerbaijan with the mediation of Russia.

Peskov assessed that any help in resolving the conflict is welcome, but added that he is wary of "attempts that obscure the basis for a peaceful solution".

Armenia and Azerbaijan clashed in 2020 over control of the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The conflict ended with a peace agreement recognizing the victory of the Azerbaijani forces. The agreement was reached with the help of Russia.

Since then, Russian soldiers have been stationed in Nagorno-Karabakh, but Armenia has been complaining about their ineffectiveness for several months. Russia's isolation on the international stage, due to the conflict in Ukraine, also limits Moscow's room for maneuver.

Tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan rose on April 23 when Baku set up the first checkpoint at the entrance to the Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh.

Baku justified its decision with security reasons, while Yerevan assessed it as a violation of the ceasefire agreed in 2020.

In this context, Washington, which co-chairs the so-called "Minsk" Group on the conflict with Moscow and Paris, is trying to restart peace negotiations.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is hosting the meeting, which lasts until Thursday, and includes the heads of diplomacy of Armenia and Azerbaijan, Ararat Mirzoyan and Jeyhun Bajramov.

Such a meeting was held in November and then in February, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in Germany. Those talks did not allow at this stage to lead to an agreement.

Nagorno-Karabakh, a predominantly Armenian territory, broke away from Azerbaijan, leading to a war that claimed 90 lives in the 30.000s.