Galuzin: Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal should not be rushed

PanARMENIAN.Net - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin highlighted President Vladimir Putin’s significant role in the Armenia-Azerbaijan normalization process, emphasizing the need for a long-term solution.

He stressed that Moscow opposes Armenia and Azerbaijan signing any "premature" agreements, as advocated by the West, according to Izvestia.

"We support Armenia and Azerbaijan—both allied nations to Russia—in developing a peace agreement that will not only pave the way for stable relations but also prevent future risks for generations to come.

Naturally, we are always ready to support progress, but we strongly oppose any premature agreements, as the West insists on rushing Armenia and Azerbaijan into signing a peace deal on a Western platform.

Such hasty, ill-considered, and inconsistent decisions will not lead to lasting peace but, on the contrary, may sow the seeds of future conflicts—an outcome we find highly undesirable, not only for Armenia and Azerbaijan but for the South Caucasus and Russia as well," Galuzin stated.

He also regretted the suspension of the trilateral working group on transport and economic cooperation and urged a return to the process.

"Unfortunately, the trilateral working group chaired by the deputy prime ministers of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia, which focuses on unblocking transportation links and restoring economic ties, is currently suspended. We urge the parties, especially our Armenian partners, to return to this framework. Russia remains ready to provide any necessary support if they are willing," the diplomat said.

Russia also expressed concerns about the deepening Armenia-EU relations.

"In this context, we view the West’s policies in the South Caucasus as entirely destructive. Their goal is not to stabilize the region but rather to use it as another pressure point against Russia. There have even been discussions about persuading certain countries to open a second front against Russia—this time in the South Caucasus," Galuzin warned.

At the same time, he acknowledged that Armenia has the sovereign right to determine its foreign policy.

"Official Yerevan, the Armenian state, society, and people make their own sovereign decisions about their foreign policy direction. This is within their jurisdiction, and as you know, we never interfere in other countries' internal affairs or impose our vision. Instead, we seek dialogue to develop mutually acceptable solutions and compromises," he stated.

However, Galuzin emphasized that Armenia's rapprochement with the EU is incompatible with its EAEU membership.

"As for Armenia's closer ties with the EU, we have made it clear—both publicly and in dialogue with our Armenian friends—that it is impossible to be a member of both the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the European Union simultaneously. These are two fundamentally different regulatory systems with distinct customs, technical, sanitary, and intellectual property standards, making dual membership unfeasible," he explained.

"Regarding Armenia-EU negotiations on various programs, including visa liberalization, we see that the EU is sticking to its usual approach. Without offering any concrete commitments or significant decisions on visas, they are already demanding political loyalty from Armenia and alignment with anti-Russian sanctions. This is happening despite Armenia's EAEU membership providing it with tangible and long-term benefits, such as increased trade and investment opportunities," the diplomat concluded.