Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the situation around Karabakh changed after Armenia’s leadership recognized the region as part of Azerbaijan.

Axar.az reports, citing Russian media, that Putin made the remarks while answering journalists’ questions in Bishkek.

“Armenia’s leadership, the prime minister himself, signed the relevant document in Prague and recognized that Karabakh is part of Azerbaijan. From that moment, our position on this issue became twofold. Are we able to, or should we, interfere in Azerbaijan’s internal affairs?” he said.

The Russian leader recalled that all Western countries had also recognized Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan. According to him, the Armenian side expected to be able to ensure the rights and interests of the Armenian population living there.

“Although President Aliyev would not have done anything bad to these people. He is a modern, intelligent person, and he would have tried to ensure their interests 100%, but they still would not have stayed there. And that is what happened,” Putin added.

Touching on Armenia’s relations with the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the Russian president noted that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan expected the organization to protect certain sections of the border. However, according to Putin, CSTO member states pointed to the absence of delimitation and a border agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

“Azerbaijan believes that the border runs along one section, while Armenia believes it runs along another. But where is the agreement? There is nothing. So how are we supposed to build these relations? There are many issues there that really require expert assessment,” Putin stressed.