ArmInfo.Russia stands against re-escalation of the Nagorno- Karabakh conflict, Sergei Zheleznyak, a member of the country's State Duma Committee for International Affairs, told APA's Moscow correspondent.
Russia is committed to working on a political settlement of the conflict, said Zheleznyak, who is also the deputy secretary of the United Russia Party General Council. "Thanks to Russia's efforts, a ceasefire was achieved and the bloodshed was stopped during the April clashes in Nagorno-Karabakh," APA quotes the lawmaker as saying.
"I'm sure that all sensible politicians both in Azerbaijan and Armenia understand that such conflicts should be resolved by political and humanitarian means," he said, adding that a very dangerous phase of the Karabakh conflict was ceased thanks to Russia's diplomatic efforts. "Russia became a platform for the Azerbaijani and Armenian leadership to reach a ceasefire agreement. I'm sure that in absence of Russia's efforts, the April clashes would have left more people dead and wounded. Thus, Moscow urges the sides to avoid armed clashes," he noted.
When asked about creation of a united group of Russian and Armenian troops, the lawmaker said the creation of this group is defensive in nature. "It was created with the aim of ensuring the national security of Russia outside the country. I'm sure that there will be no need for this group, if Russia and Armenia do not face any attack. Thus, there is no reason for concern over the creation of the united group of Russian- Armenian troops," the lawmaker said. The politician also commented on Russia's delivery of Iskander missile systems to Armenia. "As you know, Russia cooperates with a number of countries in the military-technical field. Russia enjoys high level military cooperation with Azerbaijan and Armenia as well," Zheleznyak said, noting that Russia's military-technical cooperation with other countries is mainly intended for the development of the country's military-industrial complex. "Everyone knows that not the weapon, but people open fire. Weapons are guided by people," the lawmaker said, adding that Russia, in the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization and other international organizations, insists on seeking a political solution to all existing conflicts.