US replaces Russia in Karabakh peace talks

The United States declared its readiness to help resolve the Karabakh conflict. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken held separate calls with the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan and spoke about “historic opportunity” to achieve peace.

He positively assessed the meeting of the foreign ministers of the two countries in Tbilisi. These were the first bilateral talks since the 2020 war over Nagorno-Karabakh.

The fights are over ceasefire agreement brokered by Russia. As a result Armenia ceded territory to Azerbaijan, and 1960 Russian peacekeepers were sent to the region. In addition, the agreement ordered the Armenian military to completely leave Nagorno-Karabakh. However, tensions in the region still remain, and the parties regularly exchange accusations of shelling.

Blinken said the United States is ready to help establish “regional transport and communication links” and called on Azerbaijan and Armenia to continue the dialogue. He also assured that Washington will support “productive negotiations” between Baku and Yerevan mediated by the EU.

As a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group on the search for a peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict since 1994, the US is ready to “help Armenia and Azerbaijan find a long-term comprehensive peace,” Blinken stressed. He also raised the issue of returning prisoners and clarifying the fate of the missing.