Putin praises Russian peacekeepers' role in ending bloodshed in Nagorno-Karabakh
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Russian President Vladimir Putin at the meeting on the Russian peacekeeping mission in Nagorno-Karabakh on November 20, 2020. /@KremlinRussia_E

Russian President Vladimir Putin at the meeting on the Russian peacekeeping mission in Nagorno-Karabakh on November 20, 2020. /@KremlinRussia_E

The Russian peacekeeping mission is maintaining effective control over the ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh, an area disputed between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting on Friday.

"I would like to highlight the smooth and well-coordinated activities of Russian peacekeepers," Putin said at the meeting.

"Prompt demining has made it possible to establish reliable communications in the region, and deploying our peacekeeping forces made it possible to stop the bloodshed and avoid more casualties," said he, adding that "Overall, the situation has stabilized."

The Russian service personnel is escorting refugees and bringing residential buildings, roads, and social facilities up to code, the president said, adding that "they are ensuring security for convoys with humanitarian supplies as well."

Putin said he remains in close contact with the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan, and plans are in place to send Russian interdepartmental delegations, tasked with ensuring ceasefire implementation and tackling humanitarian issues, to both countries.

Russian peacekeepers perform their duty in Nagorno-Karabakh, November 16, 2020. /CFP

Russian peacekeepers perform their duty in Nagorno-Karabakh, November 16, 2020. /CFP

Assistance from international organizations welcomed

At the meeting, Putin welcomed international non-governmental organizations to assist in providing help to the people of the disputed region.

"I would like to focus our representatives, including in the humanitarian center we are establishing, on the most energetic contribution, under the mediation and with direct involvement of the Foreign Ministry, to any forces and any international non-governmental organizations in this noble activity of helping the people who are now in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone," said Putin.

He stressed it's urgent to find out what assistance the region's residents could expect.

Armenia and Azerbaijan have been at loggerheads over the mountainous region of Nagorno-Karabakh since 1988. The latest round of armed conflict broke out in the region in late September, causing heavy casualties and property losses.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Putin issued a joint statement on November 10, agreeing on a complete cease-fire in Nagorno-Karabakh.

(With input from agencies)