The U.S. and France Should Support Russia's Mediating Efforts: Nikol Pashinyan

According to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the co-chairing countries of the OSCE Minsk Group should consolidate efforts on the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue rather than pursue separate initiatives. “And I think it would be correct in this situation for the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing countries, the United States and France, to support Russia’s mediating efforts instead of trying to showcase separate mediating initiatives. Especially because Russia, being close and present in the region, has more effective levers to exert a specific influence on the situation,” Pashinyan stated in an interview with Indian WION television.

When asked whether this means Armenia is not participating in the peace process initiated by Washington, the Prime Minister gave a negative response. “Of course, we are participating. Our Minister of Foreign Affairs is already in Washington and will meet with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo today (the interview took place on October 23). I simply outlined our position that the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs should move in the same, rather than different directions. We believe that in this situation, the deployment of Russian peacekeeping forces in the conflict zone can be a solution. In our view, the international community, and specifically the co-chairing countries of the OSCE Minsk Group, should support and encourage the deployment of Russian peacekeeping forces in the conflict zone. Because otherwise, we will not see any concrete actions taken towards preventing a humanitarian crisis,” Pashinyan added.