Moscow doesn`t see ethnic cleansing in Artsakh, but is ready to  facilitate return of Armenian population to their homes

ArmInfo.Moscow says that the assurances of Armenian politicians that Russian peacekeepers  silently observed ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh are destructive and untrue.

Thus, on January 12, Spokesperson of the Russian Foreign Ministry  Maria Zakharova, in response to a request to evaluate the accusations  of Armenian politicians regarding the fact that Russian peacekeepers  silently observed ethnic cleansing in Artsakh, in particular, said:

"We see these statements. We consider them destructive and, most  importantly, untrue. It's strange that they continue. We have  established a very good and trusting close dialogue with our partners  the Armenian Foreign Ministry."

At the same time, she noted that Moscow has repeatedly conveyed its  position to the Armenian side regarding such statements and noted  that they only create new problems in bilateral relations. "And, of  course, such statements do not contribute to anything: neither  strengthening the bilateral agenda, nor solving regional problems,  but, unfortunately, apparently this is beneficial for someone there,"  said the Russian diplomat, finding it difficult to say whether this  is really beneficial for Armenia.  At the same time, Zakharova noted  that such statements, in Moscow's opinion, are attempts to falsify  facts in order to relieve oneself of responsibility. "I can't assess  it any other way," the diplomat said.  At the same time, she recalled  that Russian peacekeepers were sent to the region by decision of the  Federation Council of the Russian Federation dated November 18, 2020,  to "maintain the ceasefire in accordance with the tripartite  agreements of November 9" and "to prevent massive bloodshed of the  people of Nagorno-Karabakh as well as to avoid causing significant  damage to civilian objects."

In this vein, addressing those who spread such accusations, she  wondered what of the abovementioned points had not been fulfilled.   "If someone has a conscience, and in the absence of a conscience, the  audacity to say that some of these have not been done, please provide  the facts! Put your arguments on the table. After all, there are  none. Now there are hysterics and insults," she said , once again  emphasizing that the Russian peacekeepers completed the tasks that  were assigned to them. Zakharova once again emphasized that it was  thanks to the professionalism of Russian peacekeepers that during the  escalation on September 19, 2023, it was possible to stop the  fighting. "Our Russian peacekeepers provided shelter for civilians,  delivered humanitarian aid, organized medical evacuation. And no one  has the right to insult them. And we will give an answer to those who  insult them," she said.

Regarding the issue of ethnic cleansing, the diplomat suggested  providing documents confirming this fact from international  organizations that are considered authoritative in Yerevan, for  example the UN or another organization. "If there is at least some  document or statement that testifies that such ethnic cleansing took  place, please provide us with links," said Zakharova cynically, who  for some reason did not bother to say how it happened that that there  is not a single Armenian left in Artsakh if there were no ethnic  cleansings there.

At the same time, Zakharova, who assures that there is no ethnic  cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh, said in her next sentence that Moscow  has repeatedly emphasized the need to provide conditions for the  return of the Armenian population to Karabakh, based on statements by  Baku.  "We have identified the need to ensure proper rights and  security for the Armenian population of Karabakh, and are ready to  provide every possible assistance to this process, including through  the Russian peacekeeping contingent," she concluded.

Luis Moreno Ocampo, the former chief prosecutor of the International  Criminal Court, published two reports on the genocide of the people  of Nagorno Karabakh by Azerbaijan. Moreover, the Lemkin Genocide  Prevention Institute has repeatedly warned about this tragedy.