The Russian peacekeeping troop informs about the continuation of the negotiations 

The Russian peacekeeping force carrying out a mission in Nagorno-Karabakh did not record incidents of ceasefire violation in its area of responsibility. This is stated in the message posted on the website of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.

"The command of the force continues negotiations with the Armenian and Azeri sides on the issue of restoring traffic on the Stepanakert-Goris road," the message says.   

RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met the President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan

"Issues related to the security environment take much longer time, naturally. The situation in Lachine Corridor is worrisome and condemnable that despite the tripartite statement of November 9, we have what we have. And with the tripartite declaration of November 9, such a situation should not have happened at all, and I hope that as a result of the efforts and direct communications of our international partners, as well as certain discussions, we will manage to settle this situation, in general, to achieve long-term stability and peace in the region," Nikol Pashinyan said to RA Vahagn Khachaturian.

Putin granted Ruben Vardanyan's request to renounce Russian citizenship 

Russian President Vladimir Putin has accepted the request of Artsakh Republic State Minister Ruben Vardanyan to renounce his Russian citizenship.

It should be noted that Ruben Vardanyan was appointed Minister of Artsakh on November 4. Before that, he lived and worked in the Russian Federation for many years.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, Armenia refused to participate in the meeting with the foreign ministers of Russia and Azerbaijan

On December 22, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov had a telephone conversation.

The situation in the area of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping contingent was discussed, which was aggravated due to the disagreements between the parties regarding the closure of the Lachin Corridor and the exploitation of mines in the region. Lavrov emphasized the need to strictly observe the tripartite agreements on ensuring unimpeded communication between Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia through the Lachin Corridor.

The parties expressed regret for Yerevan's decision to refuse to participate in the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia to be held in Moscow on December 23 to discuss the preparation of the peace treaty.

The importance of continuing the implementation of the tripartite statements of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia on November 9, January 11, 2021, and November 26, 2021, as well as October 31, 2022, was emphasized.

Maria Zakharova commented on Nikol Pashinyan's statement

Maria Zakharova, the representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, commented on the statement made by RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during today's government session.

"Work is underway, and if it is not known, I can repeat that there were situations when the parties blamed each other and it was the Russian peacekeepers who did everything to stabilize the situation and they succeeded. Therefore, such an attitude towards our peacekeepers is not acceptable.

It should be reminded that Nikol Pashinyan emphasized again at the beginning of the Government session that Azerbaijan is not fulfilling the obligation assumed by the tripartite declaration of November 9.

"De facto, it turns out that the obligation recorded in the tripartite declaration, that is to keep the Lachin Corridor under control, is not fulfilled by the Russian peacekeeping troops either."

Other News

• The friendship group with Armenia in the Senate of Argentina calls on Azerbaijan to immediately open the Lachin Corridor.

• The Parliament of the Republic of Artsakh made a statement expressing its satisfaction with those countries that condemned the closure of the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan. 

• The mayors of Paris, Lyon, and Marseille called on France and the European Union to impose sanctions on Azerbaijan.

• No demands have been made to the Armenian government to open the Lachin Corridor: Armenian Minister of Emergency Situations Armen Pambukhchyan commented on the situation on the Lachin Corridor