In order to achieve a lasting solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, it is necessary to discuss this issue with Moscow, but the latter needs to give an impulse to Washington and Brussels that it is ready to collaborate. James Warlick, the former US Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, expressed such a view on the air of “Factor of Power” program of Armenian News-NEWS.am.
Russia emphasizes that by mediating in the Armenian-Azerbaijani negotiations, the West aims to reduce Russian influence in the South Caucasus, and the United States views the European Union as a reliable partner. When asked whether it is possible to achieve a lasting settlement without Russia’s engagement, taking into account that Russian peacekeeping forces are stationed in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), making the life of Armenians there possible, Warlick noted that it is impossible to ignore Russia’s role in Nagorno-Karabakh.
“Russia has its hands full now and relations of Russia not just with the United States but with European Union are at perhaps the lowest that have been in our history together. The ball is in Moscow’s court. If it wants to play a productive role in full settlement in Nagorno-Karabakh, it needs to make that clear to Washington and play a productive role, not the only role but a productive role. You can’t neglect the fact that there are Russian peacekeepers on the ground and that Russia was instrumental in bringing about a settlement. We can’t neglect that. But Moscow needs to make clear that they are going to play a productive role in working together with Washington and the UN to find a kind of lasting settlement that the region deserves. Quite frankly, I am not sure that Moscow is prepared to do that, and we have to be suspicious of Moscow’s intentions here,” Warlick said.
At the same time, the retired American diplomat is convinced that in order to achieve a lasting solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, it is necessary to discuss it with Moscow.
“Perhaps this is one of the very few issues were Washington and Moscow and Brussels can actually cooperate to find a settlement that is in everyone’s interest,” Warlick stressed.
