Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin stated in an interview with Izvestia that Moscow welcomes the progress made by Azerbaijan and Armenia in normalizing bilateral relations.
“We are in favor of the Armenian and Azerbaijani sides developing a peace treaty that will pave the way and mean a stable long-term normalization of relations and will not lay a “mine” for future generations. Naturally, we are always ready to contribute to progress and are against the hasty signing of any document, as the West insists," Galuzin stated.
He expressed regret that the work of the trilateral group headed by the deputy prime ministers of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia on the issues of unblocking transport communications and restoring economic ties has been frozen.
“Of course, we call on the parties and, first of all, our Armenian friends to return to work within this group. The Russian side is always ready to provide any possible assistance to the parties, if they wish it,” the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister said.
Galuzin also noted that Moscow has clearly stated for Yerevan the impossibility of simultaneous membership in the Eurasian Economic Union and the European Union. In an interview with RIA Novosti, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister noted that the West is allegedly pushing Armenia to break off relations with the unions in which Russia participates. “The CSTO is the cornerstone of Armenia’s security, and the EAEU is the guarantee of its economic well-being,” he noted.
