Russia backs Azerbaijan-Armenia move to dissolve OSCE Minsk Group

Russia has expressed support for a joint decision by Azerbaijan and Armenia to disband the OSCE Minsk Group, which has long been involved in mediating the Karabakh conflict. 

The group is expected to be formally dissolved by December 2025, Russian Permanent Representative to the OSCE Alexander Lukashevich told Russian media.

Lukashevich said the decision concerns the closure of three bodies: the Minsk Group itself, the post of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office’s Personal Representative, and the High-Level Planning Group.

“Taking into account the parties’ position on the lack of necessity to maintain these structures, we see no grounds to oppose their dissolution,” he added.

On August 26, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov stated that a decision on the Minsk Group’s future would be taken on September 1. He noted that the mechanism has effectively been sidelined from the peace process for some time.

The dissolution of the Minsk Group is one of two conditions set by Azerbaijan for signing a peace agreement with Armenia. The other condition requires Armenia to amend its Constitution to remove provisions that could challenge Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Bayramov and his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan signed a joint appeal on the Minsk Group in Washington on August 8, formally submitting it to the OSCE on August 11.

Lukashevich outlined the procedure for the Minsk Group’s closure: the OSCE Permanent Council recommended that members approve a ministerial decision by “silent consent.” If no objections are raised by September 1, the decision will be considered adopted.

He added that the administrative and financial measures linked to implementing the decision will take several months, with the OSCE aiming to complete them by December. Once finalised, all three structures involved in facilitating Karabakh negotiations will cease to exist.

By Aghakazim Guliyev