Informed sources told Russian media Wednesday that the United States is trying to get its foot in the door as a “mediator” in the dispute between Armenians and Azerbaijanis over the landlocked mountainous region of Nagorno-Karabakh, and that Washington has threatened the Armenian side with a fresh round of violence if it doesn’t comply.
Reports of Biden administration officials making threats of renewed bloodshed in Nagorno-Karabakh are troubling, and raise questions about the “sanity” of US mediators, a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson has told RIA Novosti.
“We are concerned about the information which has appeared in the media that the US is now trying to impose its mediation services in the dialogue between Baku and Stepanakert, including through threats of the use of force,” the ministry said, referring to the capitals of Azerbaijan and Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) republic, respectively.
“Reports of threats made by representatives of the Biden administration against Nagorno-Karabakh raise questions about the sanity of American mediators”, the ministry added, noting that the "goal" of US policy appears to be gain a new foothold in the region.
On Wednesday, Russian media reported that Washington is seeking to force its way into sensitive negotiations over the contested territory, issuing an “ultimatum” to Karabakh Armenians demanding a meeting with Azeri representatives in the near future in a third country in negotiations brokered by the US. If Stepanakert refuses, it will face a fresh Azerbaijani “counter-terrorist operation” in the disputed region, according to RIA’s sources.
