Zakharova: Armenia's Attempt to Blame Russia Affects People in Need of Help

The Russian government, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, and other relevant departments, maintains continuous communication with all concerned parties and is actively taking measures to address the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh. Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, made these remarks during a press briefing on Tuesday, responding to questions regarding Russia's efforts to ease tensions around Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the region.

Zakharova mentioned that Igor Khovaev, the Russian foreign minister's special representative for assisting in the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, had discussed this matter during his recent visit to Armenia. He is currently in Azerbaijan, where consultations with Azerbaijani counterparts are scheduled.

"We, Russia, are acting in accordance with the tripartite multifaceted agreements signed by the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia for the years 2020-2022. We advocate for the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to the region through the Lachin and Aghdam routes, and we urge against unnecessary politicization of this matter," she emphasized.

Zakharova also expressed concern over the European Union's actions, stating that they have previously mimicked Russia's initiatives but often failed to bring about a resolution to the situation. She criticized political rhetoric, particularly from Yerevan, that attempts to blame Russia, stating that such rhetoric is unacceptable, as it primarily harms the people in dire need of assistance. She questioned the necessity of such political statements, suggesting that they might be an attempt to shift responsibility away. However, Zakharova refrained from drawing conclusions, emphasizing that many analysts believe these statements only complicate the issue further.

"In this critical situation, our primary goal should be to improve the situation and alleviate the suffering of the people. I want to reiterate that the ongoing statements, particularly from Yerevan in recent days, hinder progress and do not serve the primary objective of helping people," Zakharova concluded.