On April 23, Azerbaijan established a border post on the border with Armenia at the beginning of the Lachin-Khankendi road, the Press Office of the State Border Service of Azerbaijan reported.

"On April 23, at 12:00 [local time], the units of the State Border Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan established a border crossing point in the sovereign territories of our country, on the border with Armenia, at the beginning of the Lachin-Khankendi road," the official statement said.

Russia concerned

On April 24, the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia stated that Russia is seriously concerned about the situation in the area of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in the Nagorno-Karabakh, on the contact line of Armenian-Azerbaijani troops, as well as in the dialogue between official Baku and Yerevan.

"We note with extreme concern the increase in ceasefire violations and various incidents that regularly result in casualties on both sides. We do not consider the increase of accusatory and aggressive rhetoric of Azerbaijan and Armenia in the public space to be any less dangerous. In the context of the latest development of the events of April 23, we especially note the inadmissibility of any unilateral steps that violate the main provisions of the tripartite statement of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia dated November 9, 2020. Attempts to change the working regime of the Lachin Corridor without agreement or to use it for purposes incompatible with the peace agenda do not meet the peace agenda," the document stated.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the parties to return to the existing agreements immediately. "We proceed from the fact that the local population should not suffer under any circumstances, and no obstacle should be created for their livelihood. We believe that many of the problems that have arisen for many months are in the process of negotiations between the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia on the main ways of tripartite agreements, at the beginning of the process of delimitation of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border and in the harmonization of the parameters of the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, including the opening of the transport block and communications in the region. is the result of a lack of progress. We hope Baku and Yerevan will show political will and overcome this negative trend soon. The Russian side is ready to provide all the necessary assistance to Azerbaijan and Armenia, which is close to it, both at the political level and 'on the ground' with the participation of the command of the Russian Military Contingent," the statement added.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia warned "Western foreign players." "We also warn Western foreign players and local Russophobic elements working on their own opportunistic agenda against attempts to destabilize the situation, including a smear campaign against Russia," the document stated.

France condemns

In the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Fifth Republic, France condemned the establishment by Azerbaijan of a checkpoint at the entrance to the new road of the Lachin corridor, which is contrary to the commitments made under the ceasefire declarations and damages the negotiation process. 

France called on Azerbaijan to comply with its international obligations, particularly to implement the temporary measures indicated by the International Court of Justice in its ruling of February 22, which are mandatory. Paris also called for the restoration of the free movement of people and goods along the Lachin corridor in both directions, as well as the uninterrupted supply of gas and electricity to the population of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Response from Azerbaijan to France

On April 24, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry reported that the statement made by Anne-Claire Legendre, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, regarding the establishment of a checkpoint by the Azerbaijani side on the Azerbaijan-Armenia border at the beginning of the Lachin-Khankendi road on April 23, 2023, is completely unfounded.

"It is Azerbaijan's sovereign and legitimate right to establish a border checkpoint on its sovereign territory. There is no basis for the claim that this step contradicts the Trilateral statement, any other international document, or court decision. As always, Azerbaijan guarantees the safety of citizens, vehicles, and cargo moving on the Lachin-Khankendi road within the framework of its obligations and will continue to take appropriate measures in this direction," the report added.

The ministry stated, "In return for Azerbaijan’s efforts to ensure peace, stability, and development in the region, to normalize relations with Armenia based on respect for international law principles such as territorial integrity and sovereignty, the French side should not create conditions for attempts to obstruct the process by expressing such a unilateral position."