Russia is urging Armenia and Azerbaijan to continue their peace talks amidst reports of military clashes near their border, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. The recent incidents have led to casualties on both sides, with Armenia reporting four soldiers killed by Azerbaijani gunfire.
Azerbaijan’s border service has vowed to respond to any future provocations with even harsher measures. Despite the tensions, Peskov remains hopeful that the negotiation process will go on, emphasizing the importance of restraint and dialogue.
The longstanding conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh has seen occasional flare-ups despite recent efforts to build confidence through direct talks. Both countries recently agreed to release prisoners of war, signaling a potential thaw in relations.
As the situation remains volatile, international observers are closely monitoring the developments and calling for peaceful resolutions to avoid further escalations.
(Cover: A trench at a border checkpoint between Armenia and Azerbaijan near the village of Sotk, Armenia, June 18, 2021. /CFP)