The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia has stated that no ethnic cleansing was carried out against the Armenian origin residents of Karabakh, the Spokesperson of the Ministry Maria Zakharova said in this regard at a briefing she held today, Ednews reports.
According to her, if Armenian side has a proof about an ethnic cleansing being carried out against Armenians in Karabakh, then let the Armenian side present it.
Responding to the accusations of the official Yerevan regarding the Russian Peacekeeping Contingent in Karabakh not fulfilling its obligations, Zakharova noted that the accusations voiced against the peacekeeping forces are baseless.
“We see the statements of the representatives of the Armenian authorities against the Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh and consider them destructive. Strangely, these statements continue. We have repeatedly brough Russia’s position regarding these statements to the attention of the Armenian side. We have stated that such statements create new problems in bilateral relations and do not exactly help in solving anything. They neither help in strengthening the bilateral agenda, nor solving the regional problems. However, unfortunately, it seems as though that this benefits someone there. I don't know if it benefits someone in Armenia or someone abroad. We believe that such statements are made in order to abdicate responsibility. I cannot asses this otherwise. I am simply providing specific evidence. The issue is, the resolution of the Russian Federation Council dated November 18, 2020 states that the Russian Peacekeeping Contingent is sent to the region to monitor the ceasefire agreement, as well as to prevent damage to the population of Karabakhand civilian objects. My question is directed to those who refer to this document and try to accuse Russia of something. Which one of them is not executed? If someone loses their conscience and says that one of them was not executed, then please provide facts. Put facts and arguments on the table. There are no facts. There is nothing but hysteria and insult. What is written in this document has been implemented. During the escalation in September 2023, the things to which this document is dedicated were not allowed to happen. Thanks to the professional activity of Russian peacekeepers, it has been possible. On September 20, 2023, with their active mediation, an agreement was reached regarding halting the battles and discussions were held between the Armenian population of Karabakh and the Azerbaijani government. Russian peacekeepers ensured humanitarian aid to Karabakh Armenians and implemented medical evacuation. No one has the right to insult them (peacekeepers -red). If someone insults them, we will respond to those insults. As for the allegation of ethnic cleansing in Karabakh, we would still want them to present the facts. If there is any document, if there is a document from any international organization which is considered authoritative in Yerevan, for example, the UN and other organizations... if there is any document or statement about the occurrence of ethnic cleansing, please provide us with a reference to this document,” concluded a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson
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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia stated that no ethnic cleansing was carried out against the Armenian origin residents of Karabakh, Maria Zakharova, the official of the Ministry said about this during the briefing she held today, Ednews reports.
According to her, if Armenian side has a proof about the ethnic cleansing being carried out against Armenians in Karabakh, then let the Armenian side present it.
Responding to the accusations of the official Yerevan regarding the Russian Peacekeeping Contingent in Karabakh not fulfilling the obligations, Zakharova noted that the accusations said against the peacekeeping forces are unjustified.
“Statements of the Armenian leadership regarding the activities of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Azerbaijan’s Karabakh region are destructive in nature. The Russian Federation considers the accusations of Armenian politicians against Russian peacekeeping forces in Azerbaijan’s Karabakh destructive, those are attempts to manipulate the facts,” – the Spokesperson of MFA emphasized.