Russian diplomat: Western countries ruin OSCE Minsk Group

Spokesperson for the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova has said that both Azerbaijan and Armenia have highly praised Russia's mediating role at all levels.

Zakharova made these remarks during the briefing, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

She emphasised that both Azerbaijan and Armenia have expressed high regard for Moscow's role as a mediator throughout various stages of resolving the previous conflict.

“As for the Minsk Group, we were dissatisfied with its activities ourselves. We criticized it more than anyone especially after the Western members began to block the work of the Minsk Group. We openly expressed our position. The positive aspects of the Minsk Group were based on Russia’s actions. This is also reflected in the trilateral agreements among Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia, which have been highly appreciated by both Armenia and Azerbaijan,” she said. 

“In February 2022, the Minsk Group was essentially ruined by the Western countries. It became clear that they intended to do something other than resolve the situation—politicizing the process and pursuing their own interests... which had nothing to do with us. When something positive happened within the Minsk Group, we acknowledged it. But where negativity prevailed, we stated that the Minsk Group no longer worked, its activities were being blocked, and that blocking was being done artificially. There are different historical moments, situations, and contexts to consider here,” she added.

By Naila Huseynova