Yerevan /Mediamax/. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin commented on the situation in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict region in response to the questions of the participants of session of the Valdai discussion club.

Here are the important extracts from Putin’s speech on this topic.

Political wisdom of Armenian and Azerbaijan’s leaders

I must give credit to the political wisdom of the president of Azerbaijan and prime minister of Armenia. Despite all the tragedy of the current developments they managed to rise above the spur-of-the-moment political situation and make very responsible decisions. There are always political forces that are dissatisfied with something or think that they could have done better. But the answer always rises: “Try to do better.” Still, President Aliyev and Prime Minister Pashinyan managed to stop the bloodshed.

Long-term settlement

It is necessary to create conditions for a long-term settlement in the region as a whole. These conditions can be created only if both sides accept the reached agreements as long-term and both sides appreciate the benefits of peaceful coexistence.

Azerbaijan is interested in normal communication with Nakhichevan, and is also interested in unfreezing communications. One of the first tasks Armenia is facing is to establish an effective economic life, effective interaction in the region, including even with Azerbaijan for the future.  Basically, Armenia is interested in this. To unfreeze the relations with Turkey, to give them a modern nature.

And this in one and in the other case should lead to the achievement of the main goal – creation of a safe coexistence of the two states, and the creation of conditions for economic development. Is it possible to do it or not? It is. And we did the best to stop the bloodshed, and not only. Our peacekeepers are doing their duty with dignity, over 50 thousand refugees have already returned to their homes.

Nothing is possible to be done without Russia

The most important thing now is to finally regulate the situation on the border and here, of course, nothing is possible to be done without Russia’s participation. Here, even we, perhaps, do not need anyone else, except for the two sides and Russia. Why? There are very simple, pragmatic things - because in the General Staff of the Russian army there are maps that show how the border between the union republics passed during the Soviet period.

Based on these documents you need to calmly sit on both sides. There are things there that also require mutual compromises: to align something somewhere, to exchange something somewhere – but only in a way it is recognized and it is clear that it is beneficial to both parties. Can this be done or not? It can be done. But, of course, we are also for finding a multilateral format, including, intensifying the work of the Minsk Group. We are working on this, including with our partners.