Russian pundit: Azerbaijan's placement of checkpoint on Armenia border fundamentally alters regional situation

The establishment by Azerbaijan of a new checkpoint on the Lachin-Khankendi road means a fundamental change in the situation in the South Caucasus.

The remarks came from Sergei Markov, director of the Russian Institute for Political Studies and a renowned political scientist, APA reports.

"On April 23, Azerbaijan established a checkpoint on the Lachin road linking Armenia with Karabakh. Azerbaijan officially declares the need for this checkpoint. The need is to ensure that mines are not transported into Karabakh. There are many examples of mines being planted in these territories by Armenia in 2021,” Markov stressed.

The Russian pundit said the checkpoint is necessary to stop the Armenian military garrison rotation in Karabakh.

“It is necessary to prevent the export of natural resources from Karabakh, and finally to prevent the supply of weapons to Karabakh," Markov added.