MOSCOW: Russia has rebuffed criticism from Armenia regarding the effectiveness of its peacekeeping efforts in maintaining order at the crucial Lachin corridor, the sole road connecting Armenia to the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Russia deployed peacekeepers to oversee the Lachin corridor in 2020 following a conflict between Yerevan and Baku over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. However, Armenia has recently accused Azerbaijan of obstructing the corridor, hindering the flow of essential supplies to Armenian-populated towns.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan conveyed his concerns to Italian media, stating that Moscow appeared either “unable or unwilling” to control the situation at the Lachin corridor.
Russia’s Role as Security Guarantor
The Kremlin swiftly responded to these allegations, dismissing any notion that Russia had disengaged from the region. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that Russia continues to fulfill its role as a security guarantor, firmly asserting, “Russia is not going anywhere and is not going to go anywhere.”
Tensions have been steadily escalating between Baku and Yerevan in recent months, with both sides accusing each other of cross-border attacks. The situation escalated further when four Armenian servicemen were killed on Friday, and three Azerbaijani soldiers sustained injuries. Both countries blamed each other for initiating a new round of clashes.
Despite the involvement of mediators from the European Union, United States, and Russia, a lasting peace settlement remains elusive for the two sides, leaving the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh in a precarious state.
