Moscow calls on partners in Baku and Yerevan to resume joint work to normalize bilateral relations as soon as possible, official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova told a briefing on Wednesday, February 22.

"We will provide all necessary support in organizing the next meetings of the trilateral working group chaired by the vice-premiers for unblocking economic and transport ties in the region, and the commission on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, as well as new rounds of negotiations on the preparation of a peace treaty at the level of the heads of foreign ministries," Zakharova said.

According to Zakharova, Russia consistently contributes to the normalization of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations.

Since December 12, the sole road connecting Nagorno Karabakh to Armenia - the Lachin Corridor - has been blocked by self-described Azerbaijani environmentalists. Karabakh residents have reported food and fuel shortages, while hospital patients don't have access to essential medicines, with only a handful allowed transfer to facilities in Armenia proper.