Russia and the United States on October 4 confirmed reports that talks were held along with EU officials before Azerbaijan's lightning military operation that allowed it to retake the ethnic Armenian-held breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that "the U.S. and EU approached us and asked us to hold a meeting." "There was nothing secret.... It was an ordinary exchange of views." A State Department spokesman said the meeting wasn't a secret and "came together to address specifically urgent humanitarian issues and the provision of potential humanitarian aid in Nagorno-Karabakh." Politico first reported the story. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Russian Service, click here.
Russia, U.S. Confirm Talks Including EU Held On Karabakh Before Baku's Military Takeover
Azerbaijani police patrol next to a Russian peacekeepers' vehicle at a checkpoint along the road leading to the city of Xankendi/Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh, on October 2.