Armenians' return to Karabakh “important” for Russia, says ambassador

PanARMENIAN.Net - The issue of the return of Armenians to Nagorno-Karabakh is important for Russia, the presence of Russian peacekeepers in the region speaks of that, Russian Ambassador to Armenia Sergei Kopyrkin said in an interview with 24News.

“We have always believed, and this has been publicly stated, that it is important that the Armenians live in their historical homeland - in Karabakh,” Kopyrkin saod.

“This determines the presence of Russian peacekeepers there. For me, this is evidence that this issue is not being resolved. Those Karabakh Armenians who want to return, they have the right to do so. As I understand it, this right is not rejected from the Azerbaijani side.”

On September 19, Azerbaijan launched a military offensive against Nagorno-Karabakh, which left hundreds of Armenians killed and thousands of others displaced. On September 20, the authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh agreed to a ceasefire on Azerbaijan’s terms, including the dissolution of the Defense Army. Over 100,000 displaced residents have already fled Nagorno-Karabakh and reached Armenia.