Lavrov: Both Azerbaijan and Armenia use Russian weapons

ArmInfo. Not only Azerbaijan, but also Armenia uses Russian weapons. Russian Foreign Minister  Sergey Lavrov stated this at a joint press conference with his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan following  talks held in Yerevan on May 21.

 "As for Azerbaijan using Russian weapons, let me remind you that  Armenia has also used Russian weapons  since gaining independence,  including the seizure of 7 regions that were never officially  claimed.  By the way, none of Armenia's first leaders ever proposed  recognizing Nagorno-Karabakh as an independent entity. Russian  weapons were used to seize undisputed Azerbaijani regions and build  fortifications and battle lines there, indicating  a long-term plan  was to hold these territories. Some analysts said there was no  intention to return these territories to Azerbaijan," Lavrov stated  in response to a question about Azerbaijan's use of Russian weapons  to occupy the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia and  Nagorno-Karabakh. At the same time, the minister noted that Russian  weapons are also used in Africa, and  the Kalashnikov assault rifle  is  featured on the flag of Mozambique. 

According to Lavrov, many countries have Russian weapons, but this  does not mean that they are used according to principles that would  suit everyone. Responding to the question that "Armenia transferred  the money, but Russia did not deliver the weapons," Lavrov said that  this matter had been resolved. According to him, the payments have  been offset for other purposes, and there are no disagreements  regarding new deliveries.

"Now, as has  happened many times in history, we are forced to war  against the whole Europe. Weapons, as you know, are many, and they  are modern, requiring our response. Our Armenian friends understand  that in these conditions we cannot fulfill all  obligations on time.  And yet, a whole series of systems are being transferred and will  continue to do so," Lavrov noted.  Speaking about purchases from  other countries, the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry noted that  this is the choice of Armenian friends. "If they want a French base  for additional deliveries, go ahead.  We will not impose anything.  But if an ally relies on weapons from a country like France, which  leads the hostile camp and is filled with hatred towards Russia," the  Russian minister concluded.