Russian peacekeepers will not move an inch from the existing Lachin corridor until the new road is operational. Maksim Seleznyev, an advisor-attaché at the Russian embassy in Armenia, told this to RFE/RL.

The high-ranking Russian diplomat emphasized that there are arrangements in this regard and the parties are in direct contact, but without detailing what kind of arrangements we are talking about and between whom exactly.

Yerevan has announced that it will complete its section of this new motorway in May next year.

Seleznyev stressed that the Russian mission in Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) is doing what is possible within the scope of its powers.

At the same time, the Russian diplomat conveyed that Moscow is ready to expand the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Artsakh if both Yerevan and Baku come to an agreement on this matter.