Russia urges that the words of Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky about Karabakh not be taken out of context.

Axar.az, citing TASS, reports that Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova made this statement while commenting on Medinsky’s remarks about Karabakh during an interview with Russia Today.

Recall that Vladimir Medinsky, aide to the Russian President, compared the war in Ukraine to the situation that existed in Karabakh.

Zakharova emphasized that Russia officially recognizes the region as part of Azerbaijan. The Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson explained that Medinsky was speaking about "the historical aspect, socio-cultural characteristics, and the pain of the people."

“If the conflict in Ukraine is halted without a real peace, it could lead to a nuclear war, because Kyiv and NATO will try to reclaim Russia’s new territories,” Medinsky said.

Ayhan Hajiyev, spokesperson for the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, issued a sharp response to Putin’s aide, urging him not to damage interstate relations: “The remarks made by Vladimir Medinsky, Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation, during an interview with Russia Today on 9 June, when he distorted facts regarding the former Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict and presented the Karabakh region as a disputed territory, are both regrettable and surprising.”

He emphasized that Karabakh is ancient Azerbaijani land, and Russia itself has recognized and continues to recognize Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan.

Ayhan Hajiyev advised Medinsky not to make erroneous claims on matters beyond his authority that could harm interstate relations.