Russia should clarify its position on Karabakh - Tofig Zulfugarov

Baku/13.08.20/Turan: “Telephone conversation brings clarity to many points. We know that there are problems between Russia and Azerbaijan. One of the first signals of these problems is the presence within Russia of forces that damage Russian-Azerbaijani ties," Turan was told by a former Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Tofig Zulfugarov, commenting on a telephone conversation between the presidents of Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation on August 12.

According to him, the statements and actions of Russia diverge.

The accelerated development of Azerbaijani-Turkish relations in recent days brings new elements to the situation. He does not exclude that Turkish-Russian contacts are taking place on this topic. The disclosure of the latest facts will push Russia to clarify its position on the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, Zulfugarov said.

Speaking about how the supplies of Russian arms to Armenia fit in with its mediating role as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, Zulfugarov replied that he did not believe in the future of the OSCE Minsk Group.

More worrisome is Russian-Azerbaijani relations and the steps towards their deterioration.

"It is necessary to clarify whether this is the official policy of Moscow or someone's initiative," Zulfugarov said.

"In any case, the latest steps of Russia contradict the promises given to us," he noted, adding that the decision on the supply of arms to Armenia was made at a high level.

“It turns out that they tell us one thing, but act differently,” the diplomat said. In his opinion, Russia will not benefit from the fact that Azerbaijan will not be its ally.

“Azerbaijan has the strength to defend itself,” concluded Tofig Zulfugarov. -0-