15:15,

YEREVAN, JULY 20, ARMENPRESS. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has commented on Moscow’s ongoing work with Azerbaijan in ending the blockade of Lachin Corridor.

Zakharova was asked at a press briefing whether Russia could influence Azerbaijan to open the corridor and whether it’s possible to airlift aid to Nagorno Karabakh.

“We are working with all parties, not only in the public dimension, as far as methodology is concerned. Regarding supplying humanitarian aid, as you understand, individual countries of an international organization are developing numerous options for resolving this issue,” she said.

Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno Karabakh with Armenia and the rest of the world, has been blocked by Azerbaijan since December 2022. The Azerbaijani blockade constitutes a gross violation of the 2020 Nagorno Karabakh ceasefire agreement, which established that the 5km-wide Lachin Corridor shall be under the control of Russian peacekeepers. Furthermore, on February 22, 2023 the United Nations’ highest court – the International Court of Justice (ICJ) – ordered Azerbaijan to “take all steps at its disposal” to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions.  Azerbaijan has been ignoring the order ever since. Moreover, Azerbaijan then illegally installed a checkpoint on Lachin Corridor. The blockade has led to shortages of essential products such as food and medication. Azerbaijan has also cut off gas and power supply into Nagorno Karabakh, with officials warning that Baku seeks to commit ethnic cleansing against Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh. Hospitals have suspended normal operations and the Red Cross has been facilitating the medical evacuations of patients.