Zakharova on Pashinyan’s statement: Criticism of Russia unacceptable

Criticism of the Russian peacekeeping contingent is unacceptable, Moscow is working to improve the situation, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said at a briefing, commenting on the statement of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Russian bureau of Report informs.

“As for criticism of Russia, the Russian peacekeeping contingent, in this situation, I believe that this is unacceptable. We have repeatedly said that Russian peacekeepers are doing everything possible to resolve the situation on the ground. No public attacks are helping,” Zakharova said.

Earlier, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated at a cabinet meeting that if the Russian Federation is not able to ensure stability and security in Karabakh, it should initiate a discussion in the UN Security Council on the issue of giving the Russian peacekeeping forces in Karabakh a mandate from the UN Security Council or sending additional multinational peacekeeping force.

Commenting on this statement at the request of the media, Zakharova pointed out: “Without a peacekeeping contingent, will someone be able to say responsibly that it would be better? I think the answer is obvious. Therefore, you can talk as much as you like about the need to increase efficiency and so on. I repeat once again that everyone is working on resolving this situation. But to say and declare such things is simply not to understand the realities on the ground, it seems to me so.”