Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan mentioned that if the Russian peacekeepers withdraw from the region, whether they exit through Armenia or Azerbaijan is not fundamentally important for Armenia.

“There is no legal basis and justification for their stay in the territory of Armenia, and there cannot be,” said the Armenian PM.

Nikol Pashinyan also mentioned that the presence of Russian border guard troops and the 102nd military base in Armenia is based on clear grounds that continue to exist. He emphasized that not all regional problems are interconnected, suggesting that Russian troops in Armenia remain in place as it serves specific purposes and interests.

Pashinyan noted that the upcoming meeting in Brussels should be based on the principles established in Granada on the EU platform. However, he expressed concerns that Azerbaijan's attempts to propose another platform might jeopardize the previously agreed-upon principles.

The statement from Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov suggests that Moscow plans to engage in discussions with Baku regarding the presence of Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh. At the same time, it will maintain communication with Yerevan. 

“Right now, they [Russian peacekeepers] are indeed on Azerbaijani territory, de facto and de jure. Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan recognized that. As for them continuing to stay there and all other related questions, this, of course, will be discussed with the Azerbaijani side," the Kremlin official said. He added that “certainly, Russia will also keep interacting with our Armenian friends.”

Pashinyan earlier stated that if the Russian peacekeeping contingent were to withdraw from Nagorno-Karabakh, it should return to Russia.