MOSCOW, May 19 (Sputnik) – Russian stance on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan has never implied the refusal to participate in international events only because of a possibility to meet "face to face" with breakaway region's representatives, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s press service said on Saturday, responding to Azerbaijan's criticism.

A Russian Foreign Ministry official met with Karabakh representatives on Friday in Sokhumi, the capital of partially-recognized Abkhazia. The move was condemned by the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry​​​.

"Russia’s sustained stance on Nagorno-Karabakh issue is well-known to [Azerbaijan]. This stance has never implied refusal to participate in particular international events only because it is possible to accidentally meet ‘face to face’ with Karabakh representatives," the press service stated.

The ministry also noted that the meeting had taken place during the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Abkhaz Foreign Ministry. Abkhaz international partners, including Karabakh representatives, were invited to the event, the ministry added.

The conflict in Armenian-dominated Nagorno-Karabakh started in 1988 with the autonomous region announcing its secession from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1991, the Armenia-backed region proclaimed independence from Azerbaijan and the creation of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, also known as the Republic of Artsakh. This move triggered a military conflict, which led to Baku losing control over the region.

The warring sides agreed to a cessation of hostilities in 1994. The violence escalated again in 2016, leading to multiple casualties on both sides. The sides soon reached a ceasefire but clashes continued.

The situation in the region is monitored by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group chaired by Russia, the United States and France, within the framework of which negotiations on peace settlement has been conducted since 1992.