Russia's Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Igor Khovaev will continue to work as Special Representative of the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs to support the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

In a statement published on Thursday, April 14, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Khovaev will focus on the preparation of a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

"We count on the support for the efforts of Khovaev from our allies and partners in Baku and Yerevan. We are open for constructive interaction with other interested players," Zakharova said.

She noted that Washington and Paris curbed all contacts with Moscow within the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship on February 24 – the day Russia unleashed a war against Ukraine. According to her, the situation in the South Caucasus "does not allow for pauses in negotiations".

"Russia is determined to promote the conclusion of a peace treaty between Yerevan and Baku," Zakharova added.