Red Cross chief to discuss consequences of Karabakh conflict in Moscow

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Armenia –

The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Peter Maurer, arrived in Moscow on Wednesday to continue the ICRC’s ongoing humanitarian discussions with the Russian authorities, the ICRC reported.

Mr Maurer plans to speak about the pressing humanitarian issues to be addressed to alleviate suffering of people affected by the conflict in Ukraine.

"The devastation caused by the conflict in recent weeks, as well as eight years of conflict in Donbas, has been vast. There are practical steps guided by international humanitarian law that the parties must take to limit the suffering. I was in Kyiv last week and I'm in Moscow this week to continue the discussion with the authorities on these steps," said Mr Maurer.

Humanitarian issues in places such as Syria or in relation with the consequences of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict are also on the agenda, a continuation of a long-running dialogue.

Mr Maurer plans to meet with representatives of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense. He will also meet with the chairman of the Russian Red Cross, which is doing significant work providing assistance to those who arrived in Russia after fleeing from their homes in Donbas.

The ICRC is seeking to increase the respect of international humanitarian law and work within its mandate as neutral and impartial intermediary to address humanitarian issues and facilitate dialogue between all sides.

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS