ArmInfo. The circulating information about the mass recruitment of militants in the North of Syria and their transfer to the zone of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict causes concern. Official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova stated this on October 1 during a briefing.
According to her, photos and video messages about this are published on social networks, lists of killed mercenaries are posted, indicating their affiliation to one or another Syrian anti-government group.
"We see this as another evidence that groups that can pose a threat not only to Syria continue to form in the territories of Syria that remain without the control of the legal authorities for a long time," she said.
Speaking in general about the situation in the zone of the Karabakh conflict, Zakharova stressed that Moscow is seriously concerned about the ongoing escalation in the conflict zone since September 27. "As a result of strikes from both sides, there is significant destruction of the military and civilian infrastructure, numerous casualties on both sides, including among the civilian population. We call on the parties to maximum restraint, to end hostilities," the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said, while expressing condolences to the families of the killed and wounded.
At the same time, she recalled that the Russian Federation has many-sided friendly ties with Azerbaijan and Armenia, numerous Armenian and Azerbaijani communities live in Russia.
"We are not indifferent what is happening in the region. We are convinced that there is no alternative to a peaceful settlement of the conflict. The solution of regional problems lies exclusively in the political and diplomatic platform. Russia both in its national capacity and within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship from the first hours of hostilities has been consistently making worldwide efforts for an immediate ceasefire and the resumption of the peace process, "Zakharova said.
She recalled that the Russian President discussed the situation with the Armenian Prime Minister during telephone conversations on September 27 and September 29, the Russian Foreign Minister is in constant contact with his Armenian and Azerbaijani counterparts, and he also had a conversation with the Turkish Foreign Minister. According to her, the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs made a statement in which they condemned the use of force, called on the warring forces to immediately cease hostilities, as well as resume negotiations in search of a peaceful and final solution to the conflict.
"At present, they continue to make solidarity efforts aimed at de-escalating the situation," she said, recalling also the statements made following the meetings of the UN Security Council and the OSCE Council.
According to her, against the background of these dramatically developing events, Moscow considers any bellicose statements and actions of third parties that can provoke further escalation, fraught with negative consequences for the situation in the Transcaucasia, which can have the most unpredictable consequences, counterproductive.