The situation in the South Caucasus is at the center of Russia's attention. Ivan Nechaev, Deputy Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Information and Press Department, said during his briefing.

"On August 4, the Russian Foreign Ministry made a statement regarding the escalation of the situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, calling on both sides to show restraint and maintain the ceasefire. We reaffirm the need to settle all issues in accordance with the tripartite statements of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia on November 9, 2020, January 11, 2021, and November 26, 2021. This also applies to the situation of the Lachin Corridor, which should be regulated by point 6 of the statement of November 9, 2020, which provides that, with the agreement of the parties, the construction of a new route through the Lachin Corridor connecting Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia should be decided in the next three years. The program should be followed by the redeployment of the Russian peacekeeping mission to protect that route," Nechaev informed.

The diplomat noted that Russia is in constant contact with the Armenian and Azerbaijani sides. Nechaev recalled Russian President Vladimir Putin's telephone conversations with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on August 2 and 8, as well as Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's and Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu's contacts with their Armenian and Azerbaijani counterparts.

"All the above-mentioned issues, including the issue of the Lachin Corridor, are the subject of consultations in order to find solutions that satisfy the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides," the diplomat stated, noting that he could not reveal the details of the discussions.

Referring to the activities of the Russian peacekeeping mission, Nechaev noted that criticisms referring to the peacekeepers are not fair.