Savelyev: Zatulin’s statements don’t serve Russia’s interests, don’t support movement towards peace

Konstantin Zatulin’s statements about the situation on the Lachin road in Azerbaijan, in the area where the Russian peacekeeping contingent (RPC) is temporarily stationed, without a doubt, do not serve the interests of Russia and do not serve the movement towards peace, Deputy Coordinator of the Russian State Duma Deputy Group for Relations with the Parliament of Azerbaijan, member of the Security and Anti-Corruption Committee Dmitry Savelyev said.

He was commenting on recent statements by another deputy of the Russian State Duma Konstantin Zatulin, Report informs.

“I consider such incorrect interference in the most complicated political process unacceptable. I am sure that all interested parties understand that this is only Zatulin’s personal opinion, which in no way expresses the official position of our country,” Savelyev said.

The MP spoke about the interaction of Russian peacekeepers with the Azerbaijani authorities.

“Firstly, let me remind you that Russia officially recognizes the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. The perception of the situation should take place precisely through this prism. At the same time, despite the existing agreements, the withdrawal of illegal armed groups from Karabakh was never carried out, which in itself provokes tension. As for the fake news spread about our peacekeepers, they obviously do not correspond to reality.

The interaction of peacekeepers with the Azerbaijani authorities is built on a constructive basis and takes place on a daily basis. The peacekeepers control the situation, fulfilling all signed agreements. The resulting public indignation is absolutely justified, since mining at the Gizilbulag gold deposit and the Damirli copper-molybdenum mine is carried out in a barbaric way, without observing any technological requirements, which could not but cause a natural reaction from environmentalists and the public,” the Russian MP noted.

He also stressed that it is unacceptable, and above all, for a politician, to allow himself statements that do not reduce, but increase the existing tension. It is even more unacceptable to allow oneself direct accusations against a state that, at a very difficult moment, signed a declaration on allied cooperation with Russia, he added.