Tuesday, September 26 2023 11:02

ArmInfo.Russia has shown that it is not a security partner that can be relied on, Matthew  Miller, Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, told a briefing on September 25. 

He does not have any concern about Russia's response to Pashinyan,  criticizing Pashinyan over recognizing Azerbaijan's territorial  integrity. 

"Russia cannot be relied on as an international partner. And as it  pertains to Russia's respect for international territory and - or,  I'm sorry, territorial integrity and sovereignty of other countries,  I think we've seen by its own actions that it's not a principle that  it holds itself to," Mr Miller said. 

As to any concern that Armenia's territorial integrity must be  jeopardized or something going on that will require U.S. support for  Armenia's territorial integrity, Mer Miller said: 

"I think I would answer that by saying what we think is important is  that Armenia and Azerbaijan reach a lasting peace agreement. It's  something that we have pushed for some time - for some time. It's  something that we have said publicly we believed was in reach if both  sides were willing to make difficult compromises. Obviously, we have  not seen that happen in the last few months. I do note that President  Aliyev and Prime Minister Pashinyan have announced that they are  going to meet next week. We think it's important that they meet and  ultimately bridge the divide between their two countries."

As to the fact that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken did not  meet with the Armenian and Azerbaijani FMs on the sidelines of the  78th session of the U.S. General Assembly, which could be  "recognition of state of play," Mr Miller said: 

"He was in regular conversation with the leaders of those two  countries. I think that shows the depth of his commitment to  resolving this issue. In addition, Administrator Power and Assistant  Secretary - Acting Assistant Secretary Kim are in the region today. I  think it's a stretch to question the depth of our commitment when you  see the diplomatic engagement that we've had from the most senior  levels over the past week. The fact that he didn't meet in person  when he's talking to leaders of the foreign - to foreign countries, I  - it would be a mistake to read anything into that."

Asked about high-ranking U.S. officials' trips to Armenia, Mr Miller  said: 

No, they are there to reaffirm U.S. support for Armenia's  sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and democracy,  and of course to help address humanitarian needs stemming from the  recent violence in Nagorno-Karabakh."

Asked to comment on Turkish President Erdogan going to Azerbaijan,  given the situation and discussions about transport links between  Turkiye and Azerbaijan, which would go through Armenia, Mr Miller  said: 

"I'm not going to comment on that specifically other than to say we  have been engaged with the Turkish Government on this issue. It was  one of the issues that Secretary Blinken discussed with his Turkish  counterpart when they met in New York on Friday. We continue to hope  that all of our allies and partners could play a constructive role in  reaching a lasting agreement, and that of course would include  Turkiye.  But I don't have a comment on a specific proposal."