A party enjoying the trust of Azerbaijan and Armenia should perform the mediating mission for the Karabakh conflict settlement, first deputy chair of the Committee on CIS Affairs, Russian State Duma member Ahmed Bilalov stated a briefing in RIA Novosti. In his words, neither the European Union nor the U.S. can be impartial in the issue. "We do not press for our mediation but if both parties agree on Moscow's participation Russia will do everything within the limits of the possible for the peaceful and positive resolution of the conflict," he noted.

Belalov also said he served on the Russian delegation during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Azerbaijan. "I reiterate Russia is not interested in a military conflict at its nearest borders and certain steps for the conflict settlement are being taken," Bilalov underscored.