During a meeting with professors and students at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) on September 2, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov remarked that if Yerevan wishes to negotiate directly with Baku to resolve the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan without Russian participation, "then for God's sake." 

Lavrov expressed concern that the trilateral agreements reached at various summits by Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan between 2020 and 2022 have been faltering. He highlighted the stalled resumption of transport communication and the inactivity of the trilateral commission responsible for overseeing these agreements. Lavrov stated, "Yerevan believes that it should be done directly with Azerbaijan, but if they succeed, then for God's sake."

Lavrov also emphasized that Moscow should be involved in consulting the process of state border delimitation between the participants, but this is not happening. He noted that instead of engaging with Russia, Armenia is increasingly looking to the West, including the United States, the European Union, and Paris, to provide oversight for various processes. "It's their choice," Lavrov stated. However, he underscored the importance of negotiations with Azerbaijan as the neighboring country, adding, "There is no other way."