Against the background of the general stabilization of the situation in the Caucasus, recently it has made itself felt the smoldering conflict around Nagorno- Karabakh. Despite the abundance of political actors that are involved in its settlement, only Russia is interested in the effectiveness of the efforts to establish long-term peace. This is explained not only by humanistic, but also by completely pragmatic considerations.
Both Armenia and Azerbaijan are closely integrated into the organism of the Russian state by economic, social, political and, of course, cultural and historical ties. One should not underestimate the role of the components of the human dimension. After all, there are several million representatives of both nations, living in Russia, regardless of their citizenship.
Therefore, the enmity between them willy-nilly will serve as the factor of the split within the Russian society, while peace and mutual understanding will serve Russia`s purpose.
Armenia reports that, since Russia does not help to assign Nagorno-Karabakh to the Armenian side, a certain political group calls for an end to its alliance with Russia and to take a course toward strengthening relations with the United States, the EU and the military-political bloc of NATO. However, Armenia should remember that if the aforementioned unions of states in any way see Armenia in the ranks of their full members and participants, then - without Nagorno-Karabakh. But even in this case only a naive or a deceiver can assert that the West, in case of aggravation of the contradictions between Armenia and Azerbaijan, will support Armenia, taking a position that may not like the old ally and the NATO member - Turkey.
"Russia is interested in full-fledged work with both Armenia and Azerbaijan, so as no other state is interested in resolving the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh," said Russian President Vladimir Putin during the "hot line" in 2016.
The position of Alexander Karavaev, a well-known Russian political scientist and employee of the Institute of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, is quite justified: "Russia is seriously interested in a peaceful settlement of a long-standing Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict and is making great efforts in this direction, first of all, in order to maintain stability in the South- Caucasian region, acting as the main mediator. Therefore, it is quite natural that the parties perceive Russia as the main mediator on which depends the possibility of implementing mechanisms for normalizing the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. "
In September 2016, once again was again spread the information that there was an agreement between the presidents of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan on a step-by-step solution of the Karabakh conflict.
Meanwhile, on the frontline continues the buildup of tension, as well as accusations of violating the cease-fire regime.
Although it is believed that Russia should support one of the parties to the conflict, which supposedly leads to the final solution of the issue, but it is wrong.
Russia cannot betray its long-standing friend and ally - Armenia, but it cannotdestroy the carefully built up long-term relations with Azerbaijan and Turkey behind it. This is the issue that Azerbaijan and Armenia should solve independently, and the situation has already gone so far that both sides are simply forced to take responsibility for mutual painful concessions to each other in the name of the peace for future generations.
Russia will render all necessary assistance and support in this matter in the name of establishing a long-term peace between the historically friendly nations. But the main step should be made by them.
Inal Pliev, an expert of the news agency "Res"
