Expert: Russia maintained  Status Quo in  Nagorno-Karabakh conflict  for 26 years

ArmInfo.  It's easy to repeat like a mantra that Russia has done nothing to establish peace in the South Caucasus. However, who stopped the war in 1994 in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone? For 26 years, Russia maintained the status quo in this region, as stated by Sergei Markedonov, political scientist and leading researcher at the Center for Euro-Atlantic  Security of the Institute for International Studies at MGIMO.

"Who stopped the war in 1994 and ensured the signing of a ceasefire  agreement? Was it Donald Trump or perhaps Mr. Macron? I assume it was  Russia. For 26 years, the status quo was maintained and guaranteed by  Russia," the Russian expert recalled. According to him, Russia,  through the OSCE Minsk Group- which, he says, some lazy people  criticize for its inaction-proposed a strategy that not only  envisioned the return of the occupied Azerbaijani territories but  also the preservation of Nagorno-Karabakh through a referendum. He  acknowledged, however, that these proposals are currently being  criticized by many, given Donald Trump's predominance.

Additionally, Markedonov agreed with some experts' assessments that  Russia is not making sufficient efforts in the South Caucasus. He  also noted that Russia is a proponent of so-called soft power. He  cited the example of Georgia, with which Russia has no diplomatic  relations, but this does not hinder trade and economic cooperation.  "It's very easy to repeat like a mantra that Russia has done nothing.  But let's look at some numbers. Armenia is a good hub for our  communications. Therefore, it's important to ensure that everyone  understands that Russia is not against peace. Peace has its authors.  We are not conspiracy theorists. You've probably heard American  official James O'Brien. He was here in Yerevan and stated that the  Middle Corridor should prevent Russia and China from participating in  the region's affairs. And why, given these realities, should Russia  support such a scenario?" the Russian political scientist asked. He  emphasized that Russia is interested in its presence in the South  Caucasus, at the very least because it is closer to the region than  the United States.