Russian official: France to abandon Armenia at most dangerous moment

Member of the Russian Presidential Council for Interethnic Relations Bogdan Bezpalko has said that shooting on the conditional Armenian-Azerbaijani border is likely to continue from time to time.

 “The conflict situation will be maintained. It is very difficult, sometimes even impossible to understand each incident. There are also several international players who are interested not only in preserving, but also in developing the zones with unstable situations in the Caucasus,” Bezpalko told the Armenian media, Caliber.Az reports.

“The French can convince the Armenian leadership that they will certainly support Armenia in case of any conflict, but it is necessary to sever all relations with Russia. The French can supply some weapons, train the Armenian armed forces or special units, special services somewhere in Europe, in France, etc. However, France, as one of the tools of Western policy, may abandon Armenia at the most crucial moment because it does not bear any obligations to Armenia. There will be a source of instability. Everyone, namely, Armenia, Russia, Iran, and Azerbaijan, will lose in this war. Only the US, which is very far away and can create a source of tension for all players, will benefit,” he added.

The Armenian Armed Forces shelled the positions of the troops of the Azerbaijani State Border Service in the direction of Kollugishlak village in Zangilan district on February 12, as a result of which serviceman Parviz Khalilzade was wounded.

The Armenian armed forces fired at the positions of the Azerbaijani Army in the direction of Kokhanabi settlement of Tovuz district from the positions located in the direction of Chinarli settlement of Tovuzgala region on the same day, at 20:50 and 23:40 (GMT+4).

Later, on February 13, the units of the Azerbaijani State Border Service conducted "Operation Revenge" in response to the provocation of the Armenian armed forces.

As a result of the operation, the Armenian Armed Forces' combat post near the Nerkin-And settlement of the Gafan district was completely destroyed, from where the Armenian Armed Forces fired at the positions of the Azerbaijani State Border Service troops on February 12, wounding an Azerbaijani serviceman.

The Armenian Defence Ministry admitted that four Armenian servicemen were killed and one was wounded.