ArmInfo. The Russian peacekeepers are acting in conformity with the statement by the Russian, Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders of November 9, 2020, Maria Zakharova, Spokesperson for the RF Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated as she commented on the recent incident when Armenian MPs were not allowed to enter the territory under the Russian peacekeepers' control.
The command of the Russian contingent was not informed of that visit in advance, she said.
"We believe that the statements on the Russian peacekeepers' actions being in conflict with the Statement on November 9, 2022, are not based on facts. We hope that, given the incidents both in the responsibility zone of the Russian peacekeeping contingent and in individual sections of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, both the sides will refrain from steps that would escalate the situation," Ms Zakharova said. A group of opposition Armenian MPs headed by Parliament Vice-Speaker Ishkhan Saghatelyan were not allowed to visit Artsakh and meet with Artsakh MPs.
According to Mr Saghatelyan, the decision was a result of an agreement between the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders.
"One more criminal agreement between Nikol Pashinyan and Ilham Aliyev. Both promptly responded to the opposition MPs' statement on their planned visit to Artsakh, reported the names to the checkpoint and demanded that they not be allowed to enter the country. Interestingly, the Armenian and Azerbaijani authorities gave identical and complementary responses to our visit," Mr Saghatelyan said.