"The West is Trying to Intervene in the Situation Around Nagorno-Karabakh in Every Possible Way" - Shoigu

The West is trying in every possible way to intervene in the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh, increase its presence, and discredit Russian peacekeeping policy. This was stated today by Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu at a meeting of the CSTO defense ministers in Minsk.

"The situation prevailing in the Caucasus region is largely determined by the level of resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. Currently, the security of Nagorno-Karabakh is supported by the Russian peacekeeping contingent. However, the West is trying in every possible way to intervene in the situation, increase its presence, and discredit Russian peacekeeping policy," Shoigu said.

According to him, for the West, the main goal is to drive Russia out of the South Caucasus, rather than ensuring the security and development of the region in the long term.

"An example of this is the EU's so-called civilian mission in Armenia, which includes military personnel and special service employees. I don't think it's necessary to explain what they are actually engaged in," Shoigu noted.

He emphasized the importance of continuing work in the region in the direction of the CSTO mission.