Markov: Russia does not recognize "elections" in Nagorno-Karabakh

"Russia does not recognize these "elections" and considers Nagorno-Karabakh a part of Azerbaijan." Russian public figure, political scientist, director of the Institute for Political Studies Sergey Markov, told the Russian Bureau of Report, commenting on the second round of the so-called "elections" held on April 14 in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan-in Nagorno-Karabakh.

"At the same time, Russia insists that both the Armenian and Azerbaijani communities must take part in determining the fate of Nagorno-Karabakh. This determination should be by the principles of UN, which suggest the territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan."

Russian political analyst said these so-called "elections "were crucial for Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. " Nikol Pashinyan wants to maintain his power, which he gained through a revolutionary way and this requires economic growth. Economic growth demands the lifting of blockades. That is why Nikol Pashinyan wants to follow the path of the Kazan formula, which involves the transfer of the occupied territories around Nagorno-Karabakh by Armenia to Azerbaijan. However, he is afraid to do this. Since Pashinyan knows, he will be destroyed by radicals, so he wants to transfer political responsibility for this compromise to the Armenian community of Nagorno-Karabakh itself so that his political allies express their will. Therefore, these elections were crucial to him."

Notably, the illegal "elections" organized by Armenia on March 31 this year in the occupied territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan were sharply condemned and not accepted by the international community.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also said that Russia does not recognize the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh.