On December 30, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said that Moscow and Baku are mulling all issues related to the presence of Russian peacekeepers in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan after the situation changed as a result of the September anti-terror measures.

The deputy foreign minister noted that the Russian peacekeeping contingent was deployed to the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan in accordance with the tripartite statement of the leaders of Azerbaijan, Russia, and Armenia dated November 9, 2020. Galuzin noted that the agreement remains in force despite the changes in the regional situation after Azerbaijan carried out the anti-terror measures in September. "According to this document, our peacekeepers will remain in the region for five years, that is, until November 2025 with the possible further extension," he said.

Moreover, Galuzin said that determining the date and place of signing the peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia is the prerogative of these states. "No one has the right to decide for them when this will happen," he noted.

At the same time, he reminded, "Of course, we cannot indifferently look at what is happening in the South Caucasus. Historically, Russia is one of the Caucasian states and the only country in the region and the world to maintain allied relations with Azerbaijan and Armenia."

The high-level diplomat noted, "We proceed from the fact that the fate of the South Caucasus should be determined by those for whom it is a common home. No one from the outside will open the path to sustainable peace and stability in the South Caucasus," noting that relying on miraculous Western assistance is illusory and dangerous.

"For our part, we have made and continue to make efforts to assist Azerbaijan and Armenia in developing a balanced peace treaty designed to make an irreplaceable contribution to the reconciliation of two neighboring states, to the restoration of peace and security in the South Caucasus in the long term," Galuzin added.

He noted that the Russian negotiation platform is always at the disposal of our allies and partners. Galuzin also reminded that Baku and Yerevan can rely on the Consultative Regional Platform "3+3" (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia on the one hand, Russia, Iran, Türkiye on the other).