Minsk Group U.S. Co-Chairman Says No Russian or American Peacekeepers in NKR

The U.S. position is that neither the [OSCE Minsk Group] co-chair countries nor the neighboring states should be included in the international peacekeeping forces [in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone], Minsk Group U.S. co-chairman James Warlick said in an interview with Armenian “Zhoghovurd” daily in response to the question as to what the United States thought about the information according to which Russia might unilaterally decide to deploy peacekeeping troops in NKR.

“The topic has already been discussed, and the parties have come to an agreement over this matter,” Warlick stated.

At the same time, the American diplomat said that international peacekeeping forces should be deployed in the area within the settlement framework in order to ensure the security of Nagorno-Karabakh. The makeup of the peacekeeping forces, Warlick added, is still being discussed, but, in the end, it will be decided by the [conflicting] sides.